Key: "S:" = Show Synset (semantic) relations, "W:" = Show Word (lexical) relations
Display options for sense: (gloss) "an example sentence"
Noun
S: (n) play, drama, dramatic play (a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage) "he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"
S: (n) play (a theatrical performance of a drama) "the play lasted two hours"
S: (n) play (a preset plan of action in team sports) "the coach drew up the plays for her team"
S: (n) maneuver, manoeuvre, play (a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill) "he made a great maneuver"; "the runner was out on a play by the shortstop"
S: (n) play (a state in which action is feasible) "the ball was still in play"; "insiders said the company's stock was in play"
S: (n) play (utilization or exercise) "the play of the imagination"
S: (n) bid, play (an attempt to get something) "they made a futile play for power"; "he made a bid to gain attention"
S: (n) play, child's play (activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules) "Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"
S: (n) playing period, period of play, play ((in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds) "rain stopped play in the 4th inning"
S: (n) free rein, play (the removal of constraints) "he gave free rein to his impulses"; "they gave full play to the artist's talent"
S: (n) shimmer, play (a weak and tremulous light) "the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers"; "the play of light on the water"
S: (n) fun, play, sport (verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)) "he became a figure of fun"; "he said it in sport"
S: (n) looseness, play (movement or space for movement) "there was too much play in the steering wheel"
S: (n) play, frolic, romp, gambol, caper (gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement) "it was all done in play"; "their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly"
S: (n) turn, play ((game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession) "it is my turn"; "it is still my play"
S: (n) gambling, gaming, play (the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)) "his gambling cost him a fortune"; "there was heavy play at the blackjack table"
S: (n) play, swordplay (the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully)
Verb
S: (v) play (participate in games or sport) "We played hockey all afternoon"; "play cards"; "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"
S: (v) play (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"
S: (v) play (play on an instrument) "The band played all night long"
S: (v) act, play, represent (play a role or part) "Gielgud played Hamlet"; "She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role"; "She played the servant to her husband's master"
S: (v) play (be at play; 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"
S: (v) play, spiel (replay (as a melody)) "Play it again, Sam"; "She played the third movement very beautifully"
S: (v) travel, go, move, locomote (change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically) "How fast does your new car go?"; "We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus"; "The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect"; "The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell"; "news travelled fast"
S: (v) play (bet or wager (money)) "He played $20 on the new horse"; "She plays the races"
S: (v) play, recreate (engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion) "On weekends I play"; "The students all recreate alike"
S: (v) play (pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity) "Let's play like I am mommy"; "Play cowboy and Indians"
S: (v) play (emit recorded sound) "The tape was playing for hours"; "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"
S: (v) play (perform on a certain location) "The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16"; "She has been playing on Broadway for years"
S: (v) play (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"
S: (v) play, toy (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 with an idea"
S: (v) play (behave in a certain way) "play safe"; "play it safe"; "play fair"
S: (v) play, run (cause to emit recorded audio or video) "They ran the tapes over and over again"; "I'll play you my favorite record"; "He never tires of playing that video"
S: (v) toy, fiddle, diddle, play (manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination) "She played nervously with her wedding ring"; "Don't fiddle with the screws"; "He played with the idea of running for the Senate"
S: (v) play (be received or 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"
S: (v) dally, toy, play, flirt (behave carelessly or indifferently) "Play about with a young girl's affection"
S: (v) play (cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space) "The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"
S: (v) act, play, roleplay, playact (perform on a stage or theater) "She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"
S: (v) play (be performed or presented for public viewing) "What's playing in the local movie theater?"; "`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"
S: (v) bring, work, play, wreak, make for (cause to happen or to occur as a consequence) "I cannot work a miracle"; "wreak havoc"; "bring comments"; "play a joke"; "The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area"
S: (v) play (discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream) "play water from a hose"; "The fountains played all day"
S: (v) play (make bets) "Play the races"; "play the casinos in Trouville"
S: (v) bet, wager, play (stake on the outcome of an issue) "I bet $100 on that new horse"; "She played all her money on the dark horse"
S: (v) play (shoot or hit in a particular manner) "She played a good backhand last night"
S: (v) play (use or move) "I had to play my queen"
S: (v) play (employ in a game or in a specific position) "They played him on first base"
S: (v) meet, encounter, play, take on (contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle) "Princeton plays Yale this weekend"; "Charlie likes to play Mary"