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Definition play

Etymology

From Middle English pleyen, playen, ple?en, pl�ien, also Middle English pla?en, plawen (compare English plaw), from Old English ple?an, pleo?an, pl�?an, and Old English plegian, pleagian, plagian (�to play, exercise, etc.�), from Proto-Germanic *plegan?, *plehan? (�to care about, be concerned with�) and Proto-Germanic *pleg?n? (�to engage, move�); both perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *blek- (�to move, move about�), from Proto-Indo-European *bal- (compare Ancient Greek ???? (bl�?), ????? (bl�z?, �I gush out, spring�), Sanskrit ???????? (balbal?ti, �it whirls, twirls�)). Cognate with Scots play (�to act or move briskly, cause to move, stir�), Saterland Frisian pleegje (�to look after, care for, maintain�), West Frisian pleegje, pliigje (�to commit, perform, bedrive�), Middle Dutch pleyen ("to dance, leap for joy, rejoice, be glad"; compare Modern Dutch pleien (�to play a particular children's game�)), Dutch plegen (�to commit, bedrive, practice�), German pflegen (�to care for, be concerned with, attend to, tend�), Danish pleje (�to tend to, nurse�), Swedish pl�ga (�to be wont to, be accustomed to�). Related also to Old English pl?on (�to risk, endanger�). More at plight, pledge.

The noun is from Middle English pleye, from Old English pl�?, plega, pl�?a (�play, quick motion, movement, exercise; (athletic) sport, game; festivity, drama; battle; gear for games, an implement for a game; clapping with the hands, applause�), deverbative of plegian (�to play�); see above.

Verb

play (third-person singular simple present plays, present participle playing, simple past and past participle played)

1. (intransitive) To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.
2. (transitive, intransitive) To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game).
   1. (transitive) To compete against, in a game.
   2. (transitive) (in the scoring of games and sports) To be the opposing score to.
3. (intransitive) To take part in amorous activity; to make love, fornicate; to have sex.
4. (transitive) To act as the indicated role, especially in a performance.
5. (heading, transitive, intransitive) To produce music or theatre.
   1. (intransitive, of a music) To produce music.
   2. (intransitive, especially of a person) To produce music using a musical instrument.
   3. (transitive, especially of a person) To produce music (or a specified song or musical style) using (a specified musical instrument).
   4. (transitive, ergative) To use a device to watch or listen to the indicated recording.
   5. (intransitive, of a theatrical performance) To be performed; (or of a film) to be shown.
   6. (transitive, of a theatrical company or band, etc.) To perform in or at; to give performances in or at.
   7. (transitive) To act or perform (a play).
6. (heading) To behave in a particular way.
   1. (copulative) Contrary to fact, to give an appearance of being.
   2. (intransitive) To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless.
   3. (intransitive) To act; to behave; to practice deception.
   4. (transitive) To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute.
7. (transitive, intransitive) To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate.
8. (intransitive) To move gaily; to disport.
9. (transitive) To put in action or motion.
10. (transitive) To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.
11. (transitive, colloquial) To manipulate, deceive, or swindle someone.

Noun

play (countable and uncountable, plural plays)

1. (uncountable, formerly countable) Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.
2. (uncountable) Similar activity in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills.
3. (uncountable) The conduct, or course, of a game.
4. (uncountable) An individual's performance in a sport or game.
5. (countable) A short sequence of action within a game.
6. (countable, turn-based games) An action carried out when it is one's turn to play.
7. (countable) A literary composition, intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue.
8. (countable) A theatrical performance featuring actors.
9. (countable) A major move by a business or investor.
10. (countable) A geological formation that contains an accumulation or prospect of hydrocarbons or other resources.
11. (uncountable) The extent to which a part of a mechanism can move freely.
12. (uncountable, informal) Sexual activity or sexual role-playing.
13. (countable) A button that, when pressed, causes media to be played.
14. (archaic, now usually in compounds) Activity relating to martial combat or fighting.

Results 319 Words with the letters PLAY

You can also try words with the phrase PLAY, words starting with the letters PLAY, or words ending in the letters PLAY.

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