play
verbverified·updated Jun 3, 2026
engage in an activity for learning, exploration, or demonstration
Framework senses
- §1
- engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
- §2
- pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
- §3
- exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
- §4
- consider not very seriously
- §5
- participate in games or sport
- §6
- contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
- §7
- employ in a game or in a specific position
- §8
- use or move
- §9
- shoot or hit in a particular manner
- §10
- bet or wager
- §11
- put a card or piece into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
- §12
- stake on the outcome of an issue
- §13
- make bets
- §14
- use to one's advantage
- §15
- discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
- §16
- manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
- §17
- cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
- §18
- perform on a certain location
- §19
- be performed or presented for public viewing
- §20
- cause to emit recorded audio or video
- §21
- emit recorded sound
- §22
- play a role or part
- §23
- perform on a stage or theater
- §24
- pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
- §25
- replay (as a melody)
- §26
- play on an instrument
- §27
- to perform music on a musical instrument
- §28
- move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
- §29
- cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
- §30
- act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
- §31
- engage in recreational activities rather than work
- §32
- be at play
- §33
- behave carelessly or indifferently
- §34
- behave in a certain way
- §35
- be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way