What does “play” mean?
- 1
verbto do things for fun, or to take part in a game or sport
The kids are playing in the yard.
- 2
verbto make music with an instrument, or to make a recording start
He plays the guitar in a band.
- 3
nouna story performed by actors in a theater
We saw a play by Arthur Miller.
Play at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb & noun
- CEFR level
- A1 (beginner)
- Pronunciation
- /pleɪ/ · PLAY
How to use “play” correctly
Use “play” with sports and games (“play tennis”), and “play the” with instruments (“play the violin”). For sports like yoga or karate, use “do”.
Common phrases with “play”
- play a game
- play a role
- play the piano
- play soccer
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Word family
- player
- playful
- playground
- replay
Idioms with “play”
- Play devil's advocate: To argue against an idea, even if you agree with it, to test it or start a discussion.
- Play it by ear: To decide what to do as things happen, without making a fixed plan.
“play” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- begin verbA1to start doing something or to start happening
- break verbA1to make something separate into pieces or stop working
- bring verbA1to take someone or something with you to a place
- build verbA1to make a building or other structure by putting parts together
- change verbA1to become different, or make someone or something different
- check verbA1to look at something to see if it is correct, safe or as it should be
- close verbA1to shut something, or to stop being open
- come verbA1to move toward the speaker or the place being talked about