noun
1. the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
Synonym: swordplay
2. the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
e.g. his gambling cost him a fortune
there was heavy play at the blackjack table
Synonym: gamblinggaming
3. activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
e.g. Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child
Synonym: child's play
4. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
e.g. it is my turn
it is still my play
Synonym: turn
5. gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
e.g. it was all done in play
their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly
Synonym: frolicrompgambolcaper
6. a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
e.g. he made a great maneuver
the runner was out on a play by the shortstop
Synonym: maneuvermanoeuvre
7. a preset plan of action in team sports
e.g. the coach drew up the plays for her team
8. an attempt to get something
e.g. they made a futile play for power
he made a bid to gain attention
Synonym: bid
9. utilization or exercise
e.g. the play of the imagination
10. movement or space for movement
e.g. there was too much play in the steering wheel
Synonym: looseness
11. verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
e.g. he became a figure of fun
he said it in sport
Synonym: funsport
12. a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
e.g. he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
Synonym: dramadramatic play
13. a theatrical performance of a drama
e.g. the play lasted two hours
14. a weak and tremulous light
e.g. the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers
the play of light on the water
Synonym: shimmer
15. the removal of constraints
e.g. he gave free rein to his impulses
they gave full play to the artist's talent
Synonym: free rein
16. a state in which action is feasible
e.g. the ball was still in play
insiders said the company's stock was in play
17. (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
e.g. rain stopped play in the 4th inning
Synonym: playing periodperiod of play
play什么意思
verb
1. engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
e.g. They played games on their opponents
play the stock market
play with her feelings
toy with an idea
Synonym: toy
2. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
e.g. He acted the idiot
She plays deaf when the news are bad
Synonym: actact as
3. exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
e.g. play a hooked fish
4. consider not very seriously
e.g. He is trifling with her
She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
Synonym: dallytrifle
5. participate in games or sport
e.g. We played hockey all afternoon
play cards
Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches
6. contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
e.g. Princeton plays Yale this weekend
Charlie likes to play Mary
Synonym: meetencountertake on
7. employ in a game or in a specific position
e.g. They played him on first base
8. use or move
e.g. I had to play my queen
9. shoot or hit in a particular manner
e.g. She played a good backhand last night
10. bet or wager (money)
e.g. He played $20 on the new horse
She plays the races
11. put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
e.g. He is playing his cards close to his chest
The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory
12. stake on the outcome of an issue
e.g. I bet $100 on that new horse
She played all her money on the dark horse
Synonym: betwager
13. make bets
e.g. Play the races
play the casinos in Trouville
14. use to one's advantage
e.g. She plays on her clients' emotions
15. discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
e.g. play water from a hose
The fountains played all day
16. manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
e.g. She played nervously with her wedding ring
Don't fiddle with the screws
He played with the idea of running for the Senate
Synonym: toyfiddlediddle
17. cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
e.g. I cannot work a miracle
wreak havoc
bring comments
play a joke
The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area
Synonym: bringworkwreakmake for
18. perform on a certain location
e.g. The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16
She has been playing on Broadway for years
19. be performed or presented for public viewing
e.g. What's playing in the local movie theater?
`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years
20. cause to emit recorded audio or video
e.g. They ran the tapes over and over again
I'll play you my favorite record
He never tires of playing that video
Synonym: run
21. emit recorded sound
e.g. The tape was playing for hours
the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered
22. play a role or part
e.g. Gielgud played Hamlet
She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role
She played the servant to her husband's master
Synonym: actrepresent
23. perform on a stage or theater
e.g. She acts in this play
He acted in `Julius Caesar'
I played in `A Christmas Carol'
Synonym: actroleplayplayact
24. pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
e.g. Let's play like I am mommy
Play cowboy and Indians
25. replay (as a melody)
e.g. Play it again, Sam
She played the third movement very beautifully
Synonym: spiel
26. play on an instrument
e.g. The band played all night long
27. perform music on (a musical instrument)
e.g. He plays the flute
Can you play on this old recorder?
28. move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
e.g. The spotlights played on the politicians
29. cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
e.g. The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
30. act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
e.g. This factor played only a minor part in his decision
This development played into her hands
I played no role in your dismissal
31. engage in recreational activities rather than work
occupy oneself in a diversion
e.g. On weekends I play
The students all recreate alike
Synonym: recreate
32. be at play
be engaged in playful activity
amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
e.g. The kids were playing outside all day
I used to play with trucks as a little girl
33. behave carelessly or indifferently
e.g. Play about with a young girl's affection
Synonym: dallytoyflirt
34. behave in a certain way
e.g. play safe
play it safe
play fair
35. be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way
e.g. This speech didn't play well with the American public
His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee