Antonym: work. Similar words: playoff, player, display, fair play, play with, on display, lay out, clay. Meaning: [pleɪ] 
n. 1. a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage 2. a theatrical performance of a drama 3. a preset plan of action in team sports 4. a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill 5. a state in which action is feasible 6. utilization or exercise 7. an attempt to get something 8. activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules 9. (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds 10. the removal of constraints 11. a weak and tremulous light 12. verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously) 13. movement or space for movement 14. gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement 15. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession 16. the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize) 17. the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully. v. 1. participate in games or sport 2. act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome 3. play on an instrument 4. play a role or part 5. be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children 6. replay (as a melody) 7. perform music on (a musical instrument) 8. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind 9. move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly 10. bet or wager (money) 11. engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion 12. pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity 13. emit recorded sound 14. perform on a certain location 15. put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game 16. engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously 17. behave in a certain way 18. cause to emit recorded sounds 19. manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination 20. use to one's advantage 21. consider not very seriously 22. be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way 23. behave carelessly or indifferently 24. cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space 25. perform on a stage or theater 26. be performed 27. cause to happen or to occur as a consequence 28. discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream 29. make bets 30. stake on the outcome of an issue 31. shoot or hit in a particular manner 32. use or move 33. employ in a game or in a specific position 34. contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle 35. exhaust by allowing to pull on the line.
n. 1. a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage 2. a theatrical performance of a drama 3. a preset plan of action in team sports 4. a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill 5. a state in which action is feasible 6. utilization or exercise 7. an attempt to get something 8. activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules 9. (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds 10. the removal of constraints 11. a weak and tremulous light 12. verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously) 13. movement or space for movement 14. gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement 15. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession 16. the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize) 17. the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully. v. 1. participate in games or sport 2. act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome 3. play on an instrument 4. play a role or part 5. be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children 6. replay (as a melody) 7. perform music on (a musical instrument) 8. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind 9. move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly 10. bet or wager (money) 11. engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion 12. pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity 13. emit recorded sound 14. perform on a certain location 15. put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game 16. engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously 17. behave in a certain way 18. cause to emit recorded sounds 19. manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination 20. use to one's advantage 21. consider not very seriously 22. be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way 23. behave carelessly or indifferently 24. cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space 25. perform on a stage or theater 26. be performed 27. cause to happen or to occur as a consequence 28. discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream 29. make bets 30. stake on the outcome of an issue 31. shoot or hit in a particular manner 32. use or move 33. employ in a game or in a specific position 34. contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle 35. exhaust by allowing to pull on the line. 
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31. The local council runs some good play schemes.
32. Do they play requests on this radio show?
33. After a short break the play continued.
34. I taught myself how to play the piano.
35. The whole play was executed with great precision.
36. It is dangerous for children to play with gunpowder.
37. They are performing his play / piano concerto tonight.
38. The children have gone to play in the park.
39. I don't know how to play a violin.
40. The play was based on Irish legend.
41. He enjoys rough and tumble play.
42. Simon's a defender,[http://sentencedict.com/play.html] but I always play in midfield.
43. Without what should you play, you are my origin.
44. The comic scenes in the play were overdone.
45. I can't play because I have lost my music.
46. Taken altogether, this TV play was successful.
47. So far, the police do not suspect foul play.
48. That was a pretty low-down trick to play!
49. 'Would you like to play?' 'No thanks-I'll just watch.'
50. By tradition, people play practical jokes on 1 April.
51. This play is usually ascribed to Shakespeare.
52. John's playing the leading role in this year's play.
53. I play the occasional game of football.
54. Are you sure? Memory can play tricks on you.
55. They play over the whole symphony.
56. They always play for high stakes.
57. The pitch is too small to play football on.
58. The ball had gone out of play.
59. The play is both comic and tragic.
60. To play the recorder, blow gently into the mouthpiece.