Definition of Playing

Noun: playing pley-ing

The act of playing a musical instrument
The action of taking part in a game, sport or other recreation
The performance of a part or role in a drama
- acting, playacting, performing

Verb: play pley

Participate in a game or sport
"We played hockey all afternoon"; "play cards"; "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"
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"
(music) Perform music using musical instruments
"The band played all night long"
(performing arts) Perform a role or part
"Gielgud played Hamlet"; "She played the servant to her husband's master";
- act, represent
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"
Replay (as a melody)
"Play it again, Sam"; "She played the third movement very beautifully";
- spiel
(music) perform music on (a musical instrument)
"He plays the flute"; "Can you play on this old recorder?"
Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
"She plays deaf when the news are bad";
- act, act as
Move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
"The spotlights played on the politicians"
Bet or wager (money)
"He played $20 on the new horse"; "She plays the races"
Engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
"On weekends I play";
- recreate
Pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
"Let's play like I am mommy"; "Play cowboy and Indians"
Emit recorded sound
"The tape was playing for hours"; "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"
(performing arts) perform on a certain location
"The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16"; "She has been playing on Broadway for years"
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"
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";
- toy
Behave in a certain way
"play safe"; "play it safe"; "play fair"
Cause to emit recorded audio or video
"I'll play you my favourite record"; "He never tires of playing that video";
- run
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";
- toy, fiddle, diddle
Use to one's advantage
"She plays on her clients' emotions"
Consider not very seriously
"She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania";
- dally, trifle
Be received, accepted or interpreted in a specific way
"This speech didn't play well with the American public"; "His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee"
Behave carelessly or indifferently
"Play about with a young girl's affection";
- dally, toy, flirt
Cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
"The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"
(dramaturgy) perform on a stage or theatre
"She acts in this play"; "I played in 'A Christmas Carol'"; "She roleplays in this play"; "She playacts in this play";
- act, roleplay, playact
(performing arts) be performed or presented for public viewing
"What's playing in the local movie theatre?"; "'Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"
Cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
"play a joke";
- bring, work, wreak, make for
Discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
"play water from a hose"; "The fountains played all day"
Make bets
"Play the races"; "play the casinos in Trouville"
Stake on the outcome of an issue
"She played all her money on the dark horse";
- bet, wager
Shoot or hit in a particular manner
"She played a good backhand last night"
Use or move
"I had to play my queen"
Employ in a game or in a specific position
"They played him on first base"
Contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
"Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to play Mary";
- meet, encounter, take on
Exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
"play a hooked fish"