S: (n) play (play%1:26:00::) (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 (play%1:04:08::) (utilization or exercise) "the play of the imagination"
S: (n) bid (bid%1:04:00::), play (play%1:04:03::) (an attempt to get something) "they made a futile play for power"; "he made a bid to gain attention"
S: (n) play (play%1:04:06::), child's play (child's_play%1:04:01::) (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) free rein (free_rein%1:26:00::), play (play%1:26:01::) (the removal of constraints) "he gave free rein to his impulses"; "they gave full play to the artist's talent"
S: (n) shimmer (shimmer%1:11:00::), play (play%1:11:00::) (a weak and tremulous light) "the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers"; "the play of light on the water"
S: (n) fun (fun%1:10:00::), play (play%1:10:02::), sport (sport%1:10:00::) (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) turn (turn%1:04:06::), play (play%1:04:01::) ((game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession) "it is my turn"; "it is still my play"
S: (n) gambling (gambling%1:04:00::), gaming (gaming%1:04:00::), play (play%1:04:02::) (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: (v) play (play%2:33:00::) (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 (play%2:41:12::) (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%2:36:12::) (play on an instrument) "The band played all night long"
S: (v) act (act%2:36:00::), play (play%2:36:02::), represent (represent%2:36:02::) (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 (play%2:41:03::) (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 (play%2:36:00::), spiel (spiel%2:36:00::) (replay (as a melody)) "Play it again, Sam"; "She played the third movement very beautifully"
S: (v) play (play%2:36:01::) (perform music on (a musical instrument)) "He plays the flute"; "Can you play on this old recorder?"
S: (v) play (play%2:38:00::) (move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly) "The spotlights played on the politicians"
S: (v) play (play%2:33:01::) (bet or wager (money)) "He played $20 on the new horse"; "She plays the races"
S: (v) play (play%2:41:00::), recreate (recreate%2:41:00::) (engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion) "On weekends I play"; "The students all recreate alike"
S: (v) play (play%2:36:06::) (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 (play%2:36:11::) (emit recorded sound) "The tape was playing for hours"; "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"
S: (v) play (play%2:36:03::) (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 (play%2:33:03::) (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 (play%2:29:00::), toy (toy%2:29:00::) (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 (play%2:41:02::) (behave in a certain way) "play safe"; "play it safe"; "play fair"
S: (v) play (play%2:36:05::), run (run%2:36:01::) (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) play (play%2:42:00::) (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) play (play%2:36:04::) (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) play (play%2:35:07::) (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 (play%2:33:07::) (make bets) "Play the races"; "play the casinos in Trouville"