Definition and meaning of English word "play"
play
/pleɪ/
Meaning
VerbTo act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.
How to use
The verb 'play' is often used in informal contexts to describe leisure activities, and it can be employed in various grammatical structures, such as 'play with' (e.g., 'play with children') or 'play' followed by a gerund (e.g., 'play singing'). A common learner mistake is to confuse 'play' with 'do' when referring to hobbies or recreational activities, as in 'I play sports' (correct) versus 'I do sports' (less common).
🇬🇧 English
play
Example
I like to play soccer.
Can you play the piano?
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- play games— play games
- play music— play music
- play sports— play sports
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #633 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "play" mean?▼
The English word "play" means "play" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "play"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "play" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "play"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "I like to play soccer." (which translates as "play").
More Core Verbs words
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