playing
play ing
- n the act of playing a musical instrument
- n the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation
- n the performance of a part or role in a drama
- v participate in games or sport
- v act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
- v play on an instrument
- v play a role or part
- v be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
The kids were playing outside all day - v replay (as a melody)
- v perform music on (a musical instrument)
- v pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
- v move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
- v bet or wager (money)
- v engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
- v pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
- v emit recorded sound
The tape was playing for hours
the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered - v perform on a certain location
She has been playing on Broadway for years - v 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 - v engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
- v behave in a certain way
- v cause to emit recorded audio or video
He never tires of playing that video - v manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
- v use to one's advantage
- v consider not very seriously
- v be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way
- v behave carelessly or indifferently
- v cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack - v perform on a stage or theater
- v be performed or presented for public viewing
What's playing in the local movie theater?
`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years - v cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
- v discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
- v make bets
- v stake on the outcome of an issue
- v shoot or hit in a particular manner
- v use or move
- v employ in a game or in a specific position
- v contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
- v exhaust by allowing to pull on the line