play
1 of 2verbto enjoy yourself and do things for fun, like children
A1- A group of children were playing on the playground.
- Kids were playing with water balloons in the garden.
- She loves to play with her dog in the park.
- There's a time to be serious and a time to play around.
- You'll have to play in the playroom today.
to participate in a game or sport to compete with another individual or another team
- Brazil is playing against Argentina in the upcoming match.
- Has she played against you in a game of tennis yet?
- Have you ever played against Sarah?
- I like volleyball, but I don't have anyone to play with.
- She joined a rugby league to play against teams from different cities.
to perform music on a musical instrument
A2- He played Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 on the violin.
- In the café, a jazz trio was playing.
- Play a classical piece on the piano.
- She played a beautiful melody on her violin.
- They sat under the tree, playing softly on their ukulele.
to represent the role of a particular character in a play, movie, etc.
transitive- He played a villain in the action movie.
- She had always desired to play Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare's Macbeth.
- The part of James Bond was played by Sean Connery.
- The role of Romeo was one of the most fulfilling I ever played.
to activate a device, such as a disc or music player, to produce audio or display recorded images
transitive- I played white noise through my headphones to drown out the chatter in the busy café.
- She played the DVD and enjoyed watching her favorite movie on the television.
- They keep playing the latest hit single on every radio station.
(of a band, theater company, etc.) to perform at a particular place
transitive- The band played an energetic set at the local pub.
- The choir played a heartfelt rendition of the national anthem at the stadium.
- The comedy troupe played a hilarious show at the comedy club.
- The orchestra played a beautiful symphony at the concert hall.
- They played a Shakespearean play at the community theater.
to appear or move quickly and lightly, particularly in a way that often changes shape or direction
- A mysterious smile played on her lips, revealing nothing.
- A subtle smirk played on his face as he revealed his secret.
- Moonlight played through the branches of the trees.
- Sparkling reflections played on the surface of the swimming pool.
- The flickering flames of the campfire played across their faces.
to be willing to cooperate with others, particularly to complete a particular task or goal
- She asked for assistance, but her friends wouldn't play along.
- The artist wanted a collaboration, but the record label wouldn't play .
- The company needed a supplier, but none of the vendors would play.
to manipulate or handle something in a playful, often aimless or idle, manner
- He found himself playing with the zipper on his jacket, pulling it up and down repeatedly.
- He played with his hair, twirling it absentmindedly while lost in thought.
- He sat at his desk, absentmindedly playing with a pen, spinning it between his fingers.
- She played with a necklace, twirling it around her finger and letting it dangle.
- She played with her spaghetti, twirling it on her fork.
to actively influence or impact a situation, event, or outcome
transitive- Every citizen has a role to play in building a strong and cohesive community.
- Her positive attitude played a key role in motivating the team to achieve their goals.
- Individuals can play their part by practicing sustainable habits such as recycling and conserving energy.
- Parents play a significant part in shaping the values and beliefs of their children.
- The weather conditions played a crucial role in determining the outcome of the outdoor event.
to approach or engage in something in a lighthearted or unserious manner, often with an element of manipulation
- He liked to play with his colleagues' emotions during the meeting.
- She played with his feelings, leading him to believe she was interested.
- He played with her trust, testing how much she would tolerate.
to let a fish tire itself out by pulling against the line before bringing it in
transitive- As the fish thrashed and pulled, he played it skillfully, waiting for the right moment to start reeling it in.
- He played the fish before reeling it in.
- The seasoned angler played the marlin with expert finesse, outsmarting its every move.
to wager or stake money in a game of chance
transitive- He decided to play $20 on the roulette table.
- He decided to play $50 on the poker game with his friends.
- I usually play a few dollars on the lottery each week in hopes of winning big.
- Before heading to the casino, they agreed to play a set amount of money and not exceed it.
to make wagers on the outcome of events or races
transitive- She likes to play the races and bets on her favorite horses.
- He decided to play the blackjack table and see if luck was on his side.
- Betting on horse races is a popular way to play for some people.
- Betting on horse races can be thrilling for those who like to play the races.
(of a fountain or other source of water) to send out a steady flow of water
- The fountain in the park played a graceful stream of water.
- The garden fountain was playing.
- The water feature in the garden played a soothing cascade.
to address or handle a situation according to the specified approach or strategy
transitive- He chose to play the situation diplomatically, avoiding confrontation.
- She decided to play it safe and follow the established protocol.
- The politician played the situation opportunistically to gain public support.