play-off
[ pley-awf, -of ]
/ ˈpleɪˌɔf, -ˌɒf /
noun
(in competitive sports) the playing of an extra game, rounds, innings, etc., in order to settle a tie.
a series of games or matches, as between the leading teams of two leagues, in order to decide a championship: In America the most exciting play-off is the World Series.
Origin of play-off
First recorded in 1890–95; noun use of verb phrase
play off
Words nearby play-off
play-action pass,
play-by-play,
play-centre,
play-doh,
play-lunch,
play-off,
play-the-ball,
playa,
playability,
playable,
playact
Definition for play off (2 of 2)
Origin of play
before 900; (noun) Middle English
pleye, Old English
plega; (v.) Middle English
pleyen, Old English
pleg(i)an (cognate with Middle Dutch
pleien to leap for joy, dance, rejoice, be glad)
SYNONYMS FOR play
2
show.
3
diversion,
pastime.
Play,
game,
sport refer to forms of diverting activity.
Play is the general word for any such form of activity, often undirected, spontaneous, or random:
Childhood should be a time for play.
Game refers to a recreational contest, mental or physical, usually governed by set rules:
a game of chess. Besides referring to an individual contest,
game may refer to a pastime as a whole:
Golf is a good game. If, however, the pastime is one (usually an outdoor one) depending chiefly on physical strength, though not necessarily a contest, the word
sport is applied:
Football is a vigorous sport.
18, 19 liberty.
23 enact.
25 personate, impersonate.
30 use.
32 bet.
33 back.
45 sport, frolic, romp, revel.
47 dally.
OTHER WORDS FROM play
British Dictionary definitions for play off (1 of 2)
play off
verb (adverb)
(tr usually foll by against)
to deal with or manipulate as if in playing a game
to play one person off against another
(intr)
to take part in a play-off
noun play-off
sport
an extra contest to decide the winner when two or more competitors are tied
mainly US and Canadian
a contest or series of games to determine a championship, as between the winners of two competitions
British Dictionary definitions for play off (2 of 2)
play
/ (pleɪ) /
verb
noun
Derived forms of play
playability, noun playable, adjectiveWord Origin for play
Old English
plega (n),
plegan (vb); related to Middle Dutch
pleyen
Idioms and Phrases with play off (1 of 2)
play off
See under play both ends against the middle.
Break a tie by playing an additional game or period, as in Each team had won three games so they had to play off the tie to decide the championship.
Idioms and Phrases with play off (2 of 2)
play