Idioms for play
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
Words nearby play
British Dictionary definitions for play on (1 of 2)
play on
verb (intr)
(adverb)
to continue to play
Also: play upon (preposition)
to exploit or impose upon (the feelings or weakness of another) to one's own advantage
(adverb) cricket
to hit the ball into one's own wicket
British Dictionary definitions for play on (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 on (1 of 2)
play on
Also, play upon. Take advantage of or make use of for a desired effect, as in These health care ads are meant to play on our fears. This idiom uses play in the sense of “performing on an instrument.” Shakespeare used it in Hamlet (3:2): “You would play upon me; you would seem to know my stops.” [Late 1500s]
Idioms and Phrases with play on (2 of 2)
play