Back to Report
play · verb /pleɪ/Full view
Nouns: play, interplay, replay, player
Adjectives: playful
Verbs: play, outplay, replay
Adverbs: playfully
play (CHILDREN)
A1 I or T When children play, they spend time enjoying themselves with toys and games.
Dictionary examples:

The children are playing outside.

She likes playing with her dolls.

Learner example:

I watch TV, play with my sons and when I have [to] sleep, [I lie on] the sofa. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Italian)

play (SPORTS)
A1 I or T When you play a sport or game, you take part in it.
Dictionary examples:

You play tennis, don't you Sam?

We often play cards.

He plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Learner example:

I can go to the park and play tennis and golf. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Hungarian)

play (MAKE MUSIC)
A2 I or T to make music with a musical instrument
Dictionary examples:

He plays the piano.

They could hear a jazz band playing in the distance.

Learner example:

I can play the guitar. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

play (RADIO, CD, ETC.)
A2 I or T to make a radio, CD, etc. produce sounds
Dictionary examples:

Could you play that last track again?

I could hear a radio playing in the background.

Learner example:

It showed videos and played mp3. (Key English Test; A2; Turkish)

play (ACT)
B1 T to be a particular character in a movie or play
Dictionary example:

In the film version, Branagh played the part of the father.

Learner example:

The main actor played the part of John, a poor man [who] becomes rich. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

play (COMPETE)
B1 I or T to compete against a person or team in a game
Dictionary examples:

Who are Aston Villa playing next week?

The Dodgers play the Mets in New York for the opening game of the championship series.

Learner example:

I'm going to have a game with my football team in Munich. It's very important, because we will play in the final match. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

play a joke/trick on sb
B2 to deceive someone in order to make them laugh
Dictionary examples:

I played a trick on her and pretended I'd forgotten her birthday.

She didn't realize they were just playing a joke on her.

Learner example:

His best friend John couldn't put up with Pat always revealing his secrets, so decided to play a trick on him. (First Certificate in English; B2; Italian)

play a part in sth
B2 to be one of the people or things that are involved in an event or situation
Dictionary example:

Alcohol plays a part in around 60% of violent crime.

Learner example:

Technology plays an important part in this situation, because I don't think that adults are playing computer games for Batman or Spiderman, for example, but for the special effec[t]s and the gra[phics]. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

play sth by ear
C2 to play a piece of music by remembering the notes
Dictionary example:

She plays all the songs by ear.

Learner example:

As the years went by, she found it hard to cope with her slow headway in classical piano and her endlessly unfinished songs played by ear. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

play it by ear
C2 to decide how to deal with a situation as it develops
Dictionary example:

I'm not sure what to tell Dad - I'll just have to play it by ear.

Learner example:

On the way to Cambridge, I had made up my mind to play it by ear. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Turkish)

play with fire
C2 to be involved in an activity that could be dangerous
Dictionary example:

We're playing with fire if we continue with genetic modification of our food.

Learner example:

Stop playing with fire or World War 3 might come in [the] shape of a nuclear war. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)

play games
C2 to not deal with a situation seriously or honestly
Dictionary example:

Someone's life is in danger here - we're not playing games.

Learner example:

I couldn't possibly get all that money together, and the kidnappers were not playing games. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

play · noun /pleɪ/
Nouns: play, interplay, replay, player
Adjectives: playful
Verbs: play, outplay, replay
Adverbs: playfully
play (ACTING)
A2 C a story that is written for actors to perform, usually in a theater
Dictionary example:

We saw a play on Broadway.

Learner example:

It's important to me because tomorrow I'[m going to] act in a play and I'll need it. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)

play (CHILDREN)
B2 U when children enjoy themselves with toys and games
Dictionary example:

a play area

Learner example:

And it has [a] play area for children to enjoy themselves. (First Certificate in English; B2; Turkish)

fair play
C2 behavior that is fair, honest, and does not take advantage of people
Dictionary example:

The public needs to feel a sense of fair play from the government.

Learner example:

He still believes in justice or just the rule of fair play. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)

Cambridge logo