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 up (1 of 2)
play up
verb (adverb)
(tr)
to emphasize or highlight
to play up one's best features
British informal
to behave irritatingly (towards)
(intr) British informal
(of a machine, car, etc) to function erratically
the car is playing up again
British informal
to hurt; give (one) pain or trouble
my back's playing me up again
play up to
- to support (another actor) in a performance
- to try to gain favour with by flattery
British Dictionary definitions for play up (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 up (1 of 2)
play up
Emphasize or publicize, as in In the press interview, the coach played up the importance of having a strong defense. [c. 1900] Also see play down; play up to.
Idioms and Phrases with play up (2 of 2)
play