play

A noun referring to a dramatic work for the stage or screen, or an activity engaged in for enjoyment.

ruСуществительное, обозначающее драматическое произведение для сцены или экрана, или занятие для развлечения.esSustantivo que designa una obra dramática para el escenario o la pantalla, o una actividad realizada para entretenimiento o diversión.frPièce dramatique destinée à la scène ou à l'écran, ou activité entreprise pour se divertir et s'amuser.deSubstantiv, das ein dramatisches Werk für Bühne oder Film bezeichnet oder eine Tätigkeit zum Vergnügen und Zeitvertreib.ptSubstantivo que designa uma obra dramática para teatro, cinema ou televisão, ou uma atividade recreativa feita por prazer ou diversão.zh名词，指供舞台或银幕演出的戏剧作品，也指娱乐或消遣的活动。arاسم يدل على عمل درامي مكتوب للتمثيل على المسرح أو الشاشة، أو على نشاط يقوم به المرء للتسلية والترفيه.

1. Activity for enjoyment A1 formal

   Fun or recreational activity, especially done by children.

   • The children went outside to play.
   • Play is important for child development.
   • During recess, it's time for play.

   ruИграesJuegofrjeu (activité récréative)deSpielptBrincadeirazh玩耍arاللعب

   Synonyms: amusemententertainmentfrolicfungamepastimerecreationrevelryrompsport

   Antonyms: drudgerylabortoilwork

2. Theater performance B1 formal

   A dramatic work written for performance on stage.

   • Shakespeare wrote many famous plays.
   • We watched a play at the theater last night.
   • The play received excellent reviews.

   ruТеатральное представлениеesObra de teatrofrPièce de théâtredeTheateraufführungptPeça teatralzh戏剧演出arعرض مسرحي

   Synonyms: dramapieceproductionshow

3. Sports competition A2 informal

   The act of participating in a sport or game.

   • The game was a fair play.
   • There was good play in the second half.
   • The referee stopped play due to rain.

   ruИграescompetición deportivafrcompétition sportivedeSpielptJogozh比赛arاللعب

   Synonyms: competitioncontestgamematch

4. Movement or operation B2 formal

   The space or freedom for movement or operation.

   • The door has plenty of play in its hinges.
   • There is too much play in the steering wheel.
   • The rope has some play, so it won't snap.

   ruЛюфтesJuego (espacio de movimiento)frJeu (mouvement ou fonctionnement)deSpielraumptFolgazh活动余地arحرية الحركة

   Synonyms: clearancefreedomgiveleewaymotionmovementslack

• plays plural form
• plays' possessive plural form
• play's possessive singular form

A verb used to indicate engaging in a game or sport for enjoyment, or performing music.

ruГлагол, обозначающий участие в игре или спорте для развлечения, или исполнение музыки.esVerbo que indica participar en un juego o deporte por diversión, o ejecutar música con un instrumento.frVerbe désignant le fait de participer à un jeu ou à un sport pour se divertir, ou d'interpréter de la musique.deVerb, das die Teilnahme an einem Spiel oder Sport zur Unterhaltung oder das Ausführen von Musik bezeichnet.ptVerbo que indica participar de um jogo ou esporte por diversão, ou executar música com um instrumento.zh表示为了娱乐而参与游戏或体育运动，也指演奏音乐或操作乐器。arفعل يدل على المشاركة في لعبة أو رياضة بقصد التسلية أو التنافس، وعلى أداء الموسيقى أو العزف على آلة، وعلى القيام بدور تمثيلي.

1. Engage in recreation A1 formal

   To do an activity for enjoyment and fun, rather than for work or study.

   • Children love to play in the park.
   • She plays with her dog every evening.
   • They played games at the birthday party.

   ruИгратьesJugar (recreación)frJouer (pour se divertir)deSpielenptBrincarzh玩耍arاللعب

   Synonyms: cavortdisportfrolicrompsport

   Antonyms: laborstudytoilwork

2. Perform music A1 formal

   To perform music on an instrument or with a device.

   • He plays the guitar very well.
   • Can you play this song on the piano?
   • She plays classical music on the violin.

   ruИграть музыкуestocarfrjouer (de la musique)deMusik spielenptTocar músicazh演奏音乐arالعزف على الموسيقى

   Synonyms: blowexecuteinterpretperformpluckrenderstrum

3. Participate in sports A1 formal

   To take part in a sport or game.

   • They play soccer every weekend.
   • He plays basketball for the school team.
   • The teams will play against each other tomorrow.

   ruИграть в спортesjugar (en deportes)frjouer (à un sport)deSport treibenptPraticar esporteszh参加体育运动arالمشاركة في الرياضة

   Synonyms: competecontendengageparticipatetake part

   Antonyms: toilwork

4. Act a role A2 formal

   To perform a character in a play, film, or show.

   • She plays the lead role in the school play.
   • He plays a detective in the movie.
   • The actor plays multiple characters in the series.

   ruИграть рольesinterpretar un papelfrjouer un rôledeEine Rolle spielenptInterpretar um papelzh扮演角色arأداء الدور

   Synonyms: actcharacterizeenactimpersonateperformportrayrepresent

• played past participle
• played past simple
• playing present participle
• plays third person singular

Phrasal variants: play alongplay aroundplay downplay offplay outplay up