verb
Ken's mother won't let him go out and play
He was invited for a game of poker, but he refused to play. I understand that you play bridge
The stranger played me at snooker, and I lost three games out of three
In the new production of Othello she plays Desdemona
Play 'Misty' for me. She plays the piccolo very well. Could you play that Caruso record?
I wish they wouldn't play their hi-fi so loud
He played his last chip on number
She's merely playing at enjoying skiing to please you
They want him to smuggle diamonds, but he won't play ball
She can't read music and just plays by ear. With no definite plan of action, I'll just play it by ear
He has always played down his role in the affair
They don't yet have the money to pay, so they are playing for time
He plays on women's affections then persuades them to give him money
It makes no difference whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game
Ray is always playing up to the teacher, trying to get a better mark
play along
I agreed to play along with her charade
She played him along till he bought her a car
play around
Stop playing around and get to work
She found out about his playing around and filed for divorce
play up
Always try to play up your assets and play down your liabilities
The bloody engine started playing up again, right in the middle of a rainstorm
play with
He's just playing with her till he gets what he's after
We were playing with the idea of a winter holiday this year
Stop playing with your food!
noun
We have tickets to a different play for every night this week
In the game of life, many have no regard for the rules of fair play. The police suspect foul play
The time for play is past, and we must get down to serious business
That last play might have won you the game
There's too much play in this gear lever
The newspapers gave Connie's new book a big play
US