| noun | a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage “he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway” |
| noun | a theatrical performance of a drama “the play lasted two hours” |
| noun | a preset plan of action in team sports “the coach drew up the plays for her team” |
| noun | a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill “he made a great maneuver” |
| noun | a state in which action is feasible “the ball was still in play” |
| noun | utilization or exercise “the play of the imagination” |
| noun | an attempt to get something “they made a futile play for power” |
| noun | activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules “Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child” |
| noun | (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds “rain stopped play in the 4th inning” |
| noun | the removal of constraints “he gave free rein to his impulses” |
| noun | a weak and tremulous light “the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers” |
| noun | verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously) “he became a figure of fun” |
| noun | movement or space for movement “there was too much play in the steering wheel” |
| noun | gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement “it was all done in play” |
| noun | (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession “it is my turn” |
| noun | the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize) “his gambling cost him a fortune” |
| noun | the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully |
| verb | participate in games or sport “We played hockey all afternoon” |
| verb | act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome “This factor played only a minor part in his decision” |
| verb | play on an instrument “The band played all night long” |
| verb | play a role or part “Gielgud played Hamlet” |
| verb | be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children “The kids were playing outside all day” |
| verb | replay (as a melody) “Play it again, Sam” |
| verb | perform music on (a musical instrument) “He plays the flute” |
| verb | pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind “He acted the idiot” |
| verb | move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly “The spotlights played on the politicians” |
| verb | bet or wager (money) “He played $20 on the new horse” |
| verb | engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion “On weekends I play” |
| verb | pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity “Let's play like I am mommy” |
| verb | emit recorded sound “The tape was playing for hours” |
| verb | perform on a certain location “The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16” |
| verb | put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game “He is playing his cards close to his chest” |
| verb | engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously “They played games on their opponents” |
| verb | behave in a certain way “play safe” |
| verb | cause to emit recorded audio or video “They ran the tapes over and over again” |
| verb | manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination “She played nervously with her wedding ring” |
| verb | use to one's advantage “She plays on her clients' emotions” |
| verb | consider not very seriously “He is trifling with her” |
| verb | be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way “This speech didn't play well with the American public” |
| verb | behave carelessly or indifferently “Play about with a young girl's affection” |
| verb | cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space “The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack” |
| verb | perform on a stage or theater “She acts in this play” |
| verb | be performed or presented for public viewing “What's playing in the local movie theater?” |
| verb | cause to happen or to occur as a consequence “I cannot work a miracle” |
| verb | discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream “play water from a hose” |
| verb | make bets “Play the races” |
| verb | stake on the outcome of an issue “I bet $100 on that new horse” |
| verb | shoot or hit in a particular manner “She played a good backhand last night” |
| verb | use or move “I had to play my queen” |
| verb | employ in a game or in a specific position “They played him on first base” |
| verb | contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle “Princeton plays Yale this weekend” |
| verb | exhaust by allowing to pull on the line “play a hooked fish” |
| playlet | noun | a short play |
| play | verb | be performed or presented for public viewing |
| dramatic | adjective | pertaining to or characteristic of drama |
| dramatist | noun | someone who writes plays |
| dramatize | verb | put into dramatic form |
| dramatise | verb | put into dramatic form |
| manoeuvre | verb | direct the course; determine the direction of travelling |
| bid | verb | make a serious effort to attain something |
| shimmery | adjective | glistening tremulously |
| shimmer | verb | give off a shimmering reflection, as of silk |
| loose | adjective | not tense or taut |
| frolic | verb | play boisterously |
| romp | verb | play boisterously |
| gambol | verb | play boisterously |
| caper | verb | jump about playfully |
| gamble | verb | play games for money |
| game | verb | place a bet on |
| play | noun | (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds |
| player | noun | an important participant (as in a business deal) |
| playing | noun | the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation |
| actable | adjective | capable of being acted; suitable for the stage |
| actor | noun | a theatrical performer |
| act | noun | a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program |
| acting | noun | the performance of a part or role in a drama |
| representation | noun | a performance of a play |
| recreation | noun | an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates |
| toy | noun | an artifact designed to be played with |
| fiddler | noun | someone who manipulates in a nervous or unconscious manner |
| dalliance | noun | playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest |
| toying | noun | playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest |
| flirting | noun | playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest |
| roleplaying | noun | acting a particular role (as in psychotherapy) |
| playactor | noun | an actor who travels around the country presenting plays |
| playacting | noun | the performance of a part or role in a drama |
| workable | adjective | capable of being done with means at hand and circumstances as they are |
| bettor | noun | someone who bets |
| bet | noun | the money risked on a gamble |
| better | noun | someone who bets |
| wager | noun | the money risked on a gamble |
| wagerer | noun | someone who bets |
| meet | noun | a meeting at which a number of athletic contests are held |
| encounter | noun | a minor short-term fight |