Laxi Dictionary

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Definition play in British English

play noun

noun
/pleɪ/

▪ direct, perform, produce, put on, rehearse, stage, write

1

a piece of writing intended to be performed by actors in a theatre or on television or the radio

Example

a West End play

Example

Have you seen Maggie Smith's latest play?

Example

She writes radio and television plays.

Example

The school will be putting on a Shakespeare play this summer.

Synonyms and related words
adaptation allegory anecdote
2

activities that are done because they are enjoyable and fun, especially by children

Example

The infants have a play period right after lunch.

Example

She watched the children at play in the park.

Synonyms and related words
a (good) laugh amusement a (real) hoot
2.1

the activity of playing for a period of time

Example

You can have a little play, and then it's time for bed.

Synonyms and related words
a (good) laugh amusement a (real) hoot
3

the action in a sport or game

Example

The golf match was suspended during the storm, but play resumed later on.

Example

The wet and muddy conditions determined the style of play.

Synonyms and related words
backhand backhander ball
3.1

a particular action in a game, or the quality of the action

Example

That was good play by Henman.

Synonyms and related words
backhand backhander ball
4

if there is play in something such as a rope, it is not stretched tight and you can move it

Synonyms and related words
flexibility give resilience
Example

The Duvernay formation is one of the most prospective liquids-rich shale plays in North America.

Definition play in British English

Related Words

Words related to play:

a play on words (phrase) the goat (phrase) against the run of play (phrase) all work and no play (phrase) be a gooseberry (phrase) be billed to sing/play etc (phrase) someone at their own game (phrase) blinder (noun) bring something into play (phrase) child’s play (noun) come into play (phrase) fair play (noun) fair play to someone (phrase) foul play (noun) have a part to play (in something) (phrase) a part (in something) (phrase) your cards close to your chest (phrase) (if you) play your cards right (phrase) in play (phrase) make a play for someone (phrase) make a play for something (phrase) mystery play (noun) nativity play (noun) out of play (phrase) Passion play (noun) play (verb) play (noun) play (it) safe (phrase) play (merry) hell with (phrase) play () into someone’s hands (phrase) play (something) by ear (phrase) play a on someone (phrase) play a in something (phrase) play about (phrasal verb) play along (phrasal verb) play around (phrasal verb) play at (phrasal verb) play away (phrasal verb) play back (phrasal verb) play ball (phrase) play ball (with someone) (phrase) play both ends against the middle (phrase) play Cupid (phrase) play date (noun) play dirty (phrase) play down (phrasal verb) play fair (phrase) play fast and loose with (phrase) play for time (phrase) play games (phrase) play God (phrase) play good cop/bad cop (phrase) play hard to get (phrase) play hardball (phrase) play it by ear (phrase) play it cool (phrase) play off (phrasal verb) play off against (phrasal verb) play on (phrasal verb) play out (phrasal verb) play politics (phrase) play possum (phrase) play Russian roulette with something (phrase) play second fiddle to someone (phrase) play silly buggers (phrase) play something by ear (phrase) play the (stock) market (phrase) play the field (phrase) play the innocent (phrase) play the system (phrase) play the...card (phrase) play to the gallery (phrase) play truant (phrase) play up (phrasal verb) play up to (phrasal verb) play with (phrasal verb) play-acting (noun) play-off (noun) play/act dumb (phrase) the fool (phrase) etc your heart out (phrase) plug-and-play (adjective) power play (noun) role-play (noun) soft play centre (noun) state of play (noun) the Scottish play () the cat’s away (the mice will play) (phrase)