play
play
/pleɪ/
of children
You'll have to play inside today.
There's a time to work and a time to play.
play with somebody/something A group of kids were playing with a ball in the street.
I haven't got anybody to play with!
play something Let's play a different game.
Collocations
verb + play
let somebody
preposition
at
with
play something
Let's play pirates.
play at something
Let's play at pirates!
play at doing something
They were playing at being cowboys.
sports/games
play something
to play football/cards
play something with/against somebody
I usually play chess with my brother.
play somebody
France are playing Wales tomorrow.
play somebody at something
Have you played her at squash yet?
play for somebody
He plays for Cleveland.
play against somebody
France are playing against Wales on Saturday.
play with somebody
I like football, but I don't have anyone to play with.
+ adv./prep.
Evans played very well.
Collocations
adverb
verb + play
learn to
teach somebody to
be difficult to…
preposition
4 intransitive to take a particular position in a sports team + adv./prep.
Who's playing on the wing?
+ noun I've never played right back before.
5 transitive play somebody (+ adv./prep.) to include somebody in a sports team I think we should play Matt on the wing.
6 transitive play something to make contact with the ball and hit or kick it in the way mentioned She played the ball and ran forward.
He played a backhand volley.
7 transitive play something (in chess) to move a piece in chess, etc. She played her bishop.
to play your ace/a trump
He played out of turn!
music
play (something)
She played Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20.
The music is well played and beautifully recorded.
In the distance a band was playing.
play on something
He sat in the corner, playing softly on his guitar.
play something on something
He played a tune on his harmonica.
play something to somebody
Play that new piece to us.
play somebody something
Play us that new piece.
10 transitive play something to have the skill of performing on a musical instrument Do you play a musical instrument?
to play the piano/violin/flute
I'm learning to play sax.
11 transitive play something to use an MP3 player, a CD player, etc. to make it possible to hear a song, an album, a CD, etc. I played some music to drown out the noise.
They're always playing that song on the radio.
My favourite song was playing on the radio.
video/DVD
These videos won't play on my computer.
play something
Click below to play videos.
Nothing happens when I try to play a DVD.
A short video was played to the court showing the inside of the house.
act/perform
play something
to play a role/part
The part of Elizabeth was played by Cate Blanchett.
He had always wanted to play Othello.
He was chosen to play the role of Judas.
She usually plays historical characters.
play opposite somebody
She played opposite Brad Pitt (= she and Brad Pitt played the two leading roles).
The children were dressed as soldiers, but they were just playing.
+ adj. I decided it was safer to play dead.
+ noun He walks around playing the outraged victim in all this.
16 transitive play the something to behave as though you are a particular type of person This is no time to play the hero.
Don't play the innocent with me: you know what happened.
17 intransitive play (to somebody) (of a play or show) to be performed A production of ‘Carmen’ was playing to packed houses.
18 transitive play something (of a band, theatre company, etc.) to give a performance in a particular place The band are playing 11 cities around the country.
I've played some fantastic venues.
have effect
19 transitive play a part/role (in something/in doing something) to have an effect or influence on something Social media played an important part in the last election.
Farming plays a crucial role in maintaining the landscape.
High environmental temperatures may also play a role.
Businesses can play their part by contributing some of their profits.
All countries have a part to play in protecting the environment.
trick
20 transitive play a trick/tricks (on somebody) to trick somebody for fun Children ran around the village playing tricks.
I played a trick on him just to see his reaction.
situation
21 transitive play something + adv./prep. to deal with a situation in the way mentioned He played the situation carefully for maximum advantage.
not do something seriously
22 intransitive, transitive (often disapproving) to do something without being serious about it or putting much effort into it play at something
He was just playing at it before—now he's serious.
play at doing something
They were playing at being villains, like in the movies.
play something (with something)
Officials are playing politics with farm programs.
be willing to help
23 intransitive (usually in negative sentences) (informal) to be willing to work with other people in a helpful way, especially so that somebody can get what they want He needs another loan, but the bank won't play.
of light/a smile
24 intransitive + adv./prep. to move or appear quickly and lightly, often changing direction or shape Sunlight played on the surface of the lake.
A small smile played on her lips.
of fountain
25 intransitive when a fountain plays, it produces a steady stream of water Two huge fountains were playing outside the entrance.
Idioms
Most idioms containing play are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example play the game is at game.
Phrasal Verbs
play
/pleɪ/
Idioms
in theatre
1 countable a piece of writing performed by actors in a theatre or on television or radio a stage/radio play
She wrote a play for the students to perform.
to put on/stage a play
to produce/direct a play
play by somebody a play by Shakespeare
Collocations
adjective
verb + play
preposition
play about
children
2 uncountable things that people, especially children, do for pleasure rather than as work the importance of learning through play
Making time for both work and play is not easy.
at play
the happy sounds of children at play
The site offers sports facilities, including tennis courts, and a children's play area.
Collocations
adjective
play + noun
preposition
at play
in play
in sport
Rain stopped play.
There was some excellent play in yesterday's match.
The spectators were asked to be quiet during play.
This video game has fast and exciting game play.
Does online play have a negative effect on gaming?
Collocations
adjective
verb + play
preposition
in play
out of play
phrases
at close of play
at start of play
4 countable (North American English) an action or move in a game He made several nice defensive plays.
They are playing better now, making big plays at key times.
Collocations
adjective
verb + play
activity/influence
5 uncountable the activity or operation of something; the influence of something on something else the free play of market forces
in play More powerful forces are in play.
The financial crisis has brought new factors into play.
Personal feelings should not come into play when you are making business decisions.
at play Other issues such as market power could be at play.
in rope
6 uncountable the possibility of free and easy movement We need more play in the rope.
of light/a smile
7 uncountable (literary) a light, quick movement that keeps changing the play of sunlight on water
Idioms
all work and no play (makes Jack a dull boy)
(saying) it is not healthy to spend all your time working; you need to relax too
be child’s play
(informal) to be very easy to do, so not even a child would find it difficult
call something into play
(formal) to make use of something
Chess is a game that calls into play all your powers of concentration.
have a play (with something)
to spend time playing with a toy, game, etc.
I had a play with the new computer game.
in/out of play
(sport) (of a ball) inside/outside the area allowed by the rules of the game
She just managed to keep the ball in play.
The ball is still in play.
He kicked the ball out of play.
make great/much play of something
to emphasize the importance of a particular fact
He made great play of the fact that his uncle was a duke.
make a play for somebody/something
to try to obtain something; to do things that are intended to produce a particular result
She was making a play for the sales manager's job.
a play on words
the humorous use of a word or phrase that can have two different meanings
SYNONYM pun
the state of play
the stage that has been reached in a process, etc. which has not yet been completed
What is the current state of play in the peace talks?
(especially British English) the score in a sports match, especially in cricket
Word Origin
Old English pleg(i)an ‘to exercise’, plega ‘brisk movement’, related to Middle Dutch pleien ‘leap for joy, dance’.