Definition of plays

Scrabble & Words with friends points


  • plays is a valid Scrabble US word with a point value of 10
  • plays is a valid Scrabble UK word with a point value of 10
  • plays is a valid Words with friends word with a point value of 11

Definition of plays


  • contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle (verb)

    Examples

    1. Princeton plays Yale this weekend
    2. Charlie likes to play Mary

    Synonyms

    1. encounter
    2. meet
    3. take on
  • pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind (verb)

    Examples

    1. She plays deaf when the news are bad

    Synonyms

    1. act
    2. act as
  • manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination (verb)

    Examples

    1. She played nervously with her wedding ring
    2. He played with the idea of running for the Senate

    Synonyms

    1. diddle
    2. fiddle
    3. toy
  • a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage (noun)

    Examples

    1. he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway

    Synonyms

    1. drama
    2. dramatic play
  • the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully (noun)

    Synonyms

    1. swordplay
  • a weak and tremulous light (noun)

    Examples

    1. the play of light on the water

    Synonyms

    1. shimmer
  • gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement (noun)

    Examples

    1. it was all done in play

    Synonyms

    1. caper
    2. frolic
    3. gambol
    4. romp
  • activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules (noun)

    Examples

    1. Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child

    Synonyms

    1. child's play
  • consider not very seriously (verb)

    Examples

    1. She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania

    Synonyms

    1. dally
    2. trifle
  • cause to happen or to occur as a consequence (verb)

    Examples

    1. play a joke

    Synonyms

    1. bring
    2. make for
    3. work
    4. wreak
  • replay (as a melody) (verb)

    Examples

    1. She played the third movement very beautifully

    Synonyms

    1. spiel
  • (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession (noun)

    Examples

    1. it is still my play

    Synonyms

    1. turn
  • perform on a stage or theater (verb)

    Examples

    1. She acts in this play
    2. I played in `A Christmas Carol'

    Synonyms

    1. act
    2. playact
    3. roleplay
  • stake on the outcome of an issue (verb)

    Examples

    1. She played all her money on the dark horse

    Synonyms

    1. bet
    2. wager
  • an attempt to get something (noun)

    Examples

    1. they made a futile play for power

    Synonyms

    1. bid
  • a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill (noun)

    Examples

    1. the runner was out on a play by the shortstop

    Synonyms

    1. maneuver
    2. manoeuvre
  • engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion (verb)

    Examples

    1. On weekends I play

    Synonyms

    1. recreate
  • cause to emit recorded audio or video (verb)

    Examples

    1. I'll play you my favorite record
    2. He never tires of playing that video

    Synonyms

    1. run
  • movement or space for movement (noun)

    Examples

    1. there was too much play in the steering wheel

    Synonyms

    1. looseness
  • behave carelessly or indifferently (verb)

    Synonyms

    1. dally
    2. flirt
    3. toy
  • the removal of constraints (noun)

    Examples

    1. they gave full play to the artist's talent

    Synonyms

    1. free rein
  • engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously (verb)

    Examples

    1. They played games on their opponents
    2. play the stock market
    3. play with her feelings

    Synonyms

    1. toy
  • the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize) (noun)

    Examples

    1. there was heavy play at the blackjack table

    Synonyms

    1. gambling
    2. gaming
  • verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously) (noun)

    Synonyms

    1. fun
    2. sport
  • (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds (noun)

    Examples

    1. rain stopped play in the 4th inning

    Synonyms

    1. period of play
    2. playing period
  • play a role or part (verb)

    Examples

    1. Gielgud played Hamlet
    2. She played the servant to her husband's master

    Synonyms

    1. act
    2. represent
  • act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome (verb)

    Examples

    1. This factor played only a minor part in his decision
    2. This development played into her hands
    3. I played no role in your dismissal
  • a preset plan of action in team sports (noun)

    Examples

    1. the coach drew up the plays for her team
  • a state in which action is feasible (noun)

    Examples

    1. the ball was still in play
    2. insiders said the company's stock was in play
  • a theatrical performance of a drama (noun)

    Examples

    1. the play lasted two hours
  • be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children (verb)

    Examples

    1. The kids were playing outside all day
    2. I used to play with trucks as a little girl
  • behave in a certain way (verb)

    Examples

    1. play safe
    2. play it safe
    3. play fair
  • be performed or presented for public viewing (verb)

    Examples

    1. What's playing in the local movie theater?
    2. `Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years
  • bet or wager (money) (verb)

    Examples

    1. He played $20 on the new horse
    2. She plays the races
  • cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space (verb)

    Examples

    1. The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
  • discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream (verb)

    Examples

    1. play water from a hose
    2. The fountains played all day
  • emit recorded sound (verb)

    Examples

    1. The tape was playing for hours
    2. the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered
  • employ in a game or in a specific position (verb)

    Examples

    1. They played him on first base
  • exhaust by allowing to pull on the line (verb)

    Examples

    1. play a hooked fish
  • make bets (verb)

    Examples

    1. play the casinos in Trouville
  • move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly (verb)

    Examples

    1. The spotlights played on the politicians
  • participate in games or sport (verb)

    Examples

    1. We played hockey all afternoon
    2. play cards
    3. Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches
  • perform music on (a musical instrument) (verb)

    Examples

    1. He plays the flute
    2. Can you play on this old recorder?
  • perform on a certain location (verb)

    Examples

    1. The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16
    2. She has been playing on Broadway for years
  • play on an instrument (verb)

    Examples

    1. The band played all night long
  • pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity (verb)

    Examples

    1. Let's play like I am mommy
  • put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game (verb)

    Examples

    1. He is playing his cards close to his chest
    2. The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory
  • shoot or hit in a particular manner (verb)

    Examples

    1. She played a good backhand last night
  • use or move (verb)

    Examples

    1. I had to play my queen
  • use to one's advantage (verb)

    Examples

    1. She plays on her clients' emotions
  • utilization or exercise (noun)

    Examples

    1. the play of the imagination

See definition of plays in Merriam Webster