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Definitions of play
  1. verb
    contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
    "Princeton plays Yale this weekend" "Charlie likes to play Mary"

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  2. verb
    pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
    "She plays deaf when the news are bad"

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  3. verb
    manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
    "She played nervously with her wedding ring" "He played with the idea of running for the Senate"

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  4. noun
    a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
    "he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"

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  5. noun
    the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

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  6. noun
    a weak and tremulous light
    "the play of light on the water"

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  7. noun
    gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
    "it was all done in play"

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  8. 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"

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  9. verb
    consider not very seriously
    "She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania"

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  10. verb
    cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
    "play a joke"

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  11. verb
    replay (as a melody)
    "She played the third movement very beautifully"

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  12. noun
    (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
    "it is still my play"

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  13. verb
    perform on a stage or theater
    "She acts in this play" "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"

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  14. verb
    stake on the outcome of an issue
    "She played all her money on the dark horse"

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  15. noun
    an attempt to get something
    "they made a futile play for power"

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    bid
  16. noun
    a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
    "the runner was out on a play by the shortstop"

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  17. verb
    engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
    "On weekends I play"

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  18. verb
    cause to emit recorded audio or video
    "I'll play you my favorite record" "He never tires of playing that video"

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    run
  19. noun
    movement or space for movement
    "there was too much play in the steering wheel"

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  20. verb
    behave carelessly or indifferently

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  21. noun
    the removal of constraints
    "they gave full play to the artist's talent"

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  22. verb
    engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
    "They played games on their opponents" "play the stock market" "play with her feelings"

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    toy
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  23. 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)
    "there was heavy play at the blackjack table"

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  24. noun
    verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)

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  25. noun
    (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
    "rain stopped play in the 4th inning"
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  26. verb
    play a role or part
    "Gielgud played Hamlet" "She played the servant to her husband's master"

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  27. 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" "This development played into her hands" "I played no role in your dismissal"
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  28. noun
    a preset plan of action in team sports
    "the coach drew up the plays for her team"
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  29. noun
    a state in which action is feasible
    "the ball was still in play" "insiders said the company's stock was in play"
  30. noun
    a theatrical performance of a drama
    "the play lasted two hours"
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  31. verb
    be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
    "The kids were playing outside all day" "I used to play with trucks as a little girl"
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    act
  32. verb
    behave in a certain way
    "play safe" "play it safe" "play fair"
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  33. verb
    be performed or presented for public viewing
    "What's playing in the local movie theater?" "`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"
  34. verb
    bet or wager (money)
    "He played $20 on the new horse" "She plays the races"
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  35. verb
    cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
    "The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"
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  36. verb
    discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
    "play water from a hose" "The fountains played all day"
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  37. verb
    emit recorded sound
    "The tape was playing for hours" "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"
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  38. verb
    employ in a game or in a specific position
    "They played him on first base"
  39. verb
    exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
    "play a hooked fish"
  40. verb
    make bets
    "play the casinos in Trouville"
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  41. verb
    move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
    "The spotlights played on the politicians"
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  42. verb
    participate in games or sport
    "We played hockey all afternoon" "play cards" "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"
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  43. verb
    perform music on (a musical instrument)
    "He plays the flute" "Can you play on this old recorder?"
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  44. verb
    perform on a certain location
    "The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16" "She has been playing on Broadway for years"
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  45. verb
    play on an instrument
    "The band played all night long"
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  46. verb
    pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
    "Let's play like I am mommy"
  47. 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" "The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory"
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  48. verb
    shoot or hit in a particular manner
    "She played a good backhand last night"
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    hit
  49. verb
    use or move
    "I had to play my queen"
  50. verb
    use to one's advantage
    "She plays on her clients' emotions"
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  51. noun
    utilization or exercise
    "the play of the imagination"
Explanation of play
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