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Definitions

play

[pley] / pleɪ /
NOUN
theater piece
Synonyms
STRONGEST
comedy drama hit musical opera performance show
STRONG
entertainment farce flop mask potboiler smash theatrical tragedy turkey
WEAK
curtain-raiser one-act smash hit stage show
NOUN
amusement, entertainment
Synonyms
STRONGEST
game match sport
STRONG
caper dalliance delight disport diversion foolery frisk frolic fun gambol gaming happiness humor jest joking lark pastime pleasure prank recreation relaxation romp sportiveness teasing
Antonyms
STRONG
gloom labor melancholy misery profession sadness seriousness sorrow task unhappiness work
NOUN
latitude, range
Synonyms
STRONGEST
action
STRONG
activity exercise give leeway margin motion movement operation room scope space sweep swing
WEAK
elbowroom
Antonyms
STRONG
idleness immobility inaction inactivity
WEAK
extreme work
VERB
have fun
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dance
STRONG
caper carouse cavort clown dally disport divert frisk frolic gambol joke jump kibitz recreate rejoice revel romp skip sport toy trifle
WEAK
amuse oneself be life of party carry on cut capers cut up entertain oneself fool around go on a spree horse around idle away kick up heels let go let loose let one's hair down make merry mess around show off
Antonyms
STRONG
be sad
WEAK
work
VERB
compete in sport
Synonyms
STRONGEST
participate
STRONG
challenge contend contest disport rival sport vie
WEAK
be on a team engage in take on take part
Antonyms
STRONG
give up
WEAK
direct listen watch work
VERB
act; take the part of
Synonyms
STRONGEST
do perform portray present
STRONG
discourse enact execute ham impersonate personate playact represent
WEAK
act the part of ham it up lay an egg play a gig read a part take the role of tread the boards
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fail
WEAK
direct listen watch work
VERB
gamble, risk
Synonyms
STRONGEST
game put set take
STRONG
bet chance exploit finesse hazard jockey maneuver manipulate speculate stake wager
WEAK
lay money on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
displace remove
STRONG
leave alone neglect
WEAK
direct listen watch work
VERB
produce music
Synonyms
STRONGEST
perform work
STRONG
blow bow drum execute fiddle fidget finger operate pedal render tickle
Antonyms
STRONG
fail ignore
WEAK
direct listen watch

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For Meyers, driving Uber or Lyft is his primary source of income—and material for a one-man play he wrote and performs, and hopes to turn into a television pilot.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

My creators didn't play God; they set up a mathematical garden and were surprised by what grew.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Nine points clear with six games to play - you would have thought it was practically a done deal for Arsenal, despite the defeat by Bournemouth.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

“He hopes he’s going to play here again,” Kings coach D.J.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

For a start, he had the whole park to play around in.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo

Vocabulary lists containing play

Mother's Day Words: What Mothers Do

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Reading: Literature - Middle School

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Reading: Literature - Introductory

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!