Play vs. Playback
Playverb
(intransitive) To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.
Playverb
To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game).
Playverb
(transitive) To compete against, in a game.
Playverb
(transitive) (in the scoring of games and sports) To be the opposing score to.
Playverb
(intransitive) To take part in amorous activity; to make love, fornicate; to have sex.
Playverb
(transitive) To act as the indicated role, especially in a performance.
Playverb
To produce music or theatre.
Playverb
To produce music.
Playverb
To produce music using a musical instrument.
Playverb
To produce music (or a specified song or musical style) using (a specified musical instrument).
Playverb
To use a device to watch or listen to the indicated recording.
Playverb
To be performed; to be shown.
Playverb
To perform in or at; to give performances in or at.
Playverb
(transitive) To act or perform (a play).
Playverb
(heading) To behave in a particular way.
Playverb
(copulative) Contrary to fact, to give an appearance of being.
Playverb
(intransitive) To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless.
Playverb
(intransitive) To act; to behave; to practice deception.
Playverb
(transitive) To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute.
Playverb
To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate.
Playverb
(intransitive) To move gaily; to disport.
Playverb
(transitive) To put in action or motion.
Playverb
(transitive) To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.
Playverb
To manipulate, deceive, or swindle someone.
Playnoun
Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.
Playnoun
(uncountable) Similar activity in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills.
Playnoun
"Repeated, incompletely functional behavior differing from more serious versions ..., and initiated voluntarily when ... in a low-stress setting."
Playnoun
(uncountable) The conduct, or course, of a game.
Playnoun
(uncountable) An individual's performance in a sport or game.
Playnoun
(countable) A short sequence of action within a game.
Playnoun
An action carried out when it is one's turn to play.
Playnoun
(countable) A literary composition, intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue.
Playnoun
(countable) A theatrical performance featuring actors.
Playnoun
(countable) A major move by a business or investor.
Playnoun
(countable) A geological formation that contains an accumulation or prospect of hydrocarbons or other resources.
Playnoun
(uncountable) The extent to which a part of a mechanism can move freely.
Playnoun
Sexual activity or sexual role-playing.
Playnoun
(countable) A button that, when pressed, causes media to be played.
Playnoun
Activity relating to martial combat or fighting.
Playverb
To engage in sport or lively recreation; to exercise for the sake of amusement; to frolic; to spot.
Playverb
To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless.
Playverb
To contend, or take part, in a game; as, to play ball; hence, to gamble; as, he played for heavy stakes.
Playverb
To perform on an instrument of music; as, to play on a flute.
Playverb
To act; to behave; to practice deception.
Playverb
To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate; to act; as, the fountain plays.
Playverb
To move gayly; to wanton; to disport.
Playverb
To act on the stage; to personate a character.
Playverb
To put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump.
Playverb
To perform music upon; as, to play the flute or the organ.
Playverb
To perform, as a piece of music, on an instrument; as, to play a waltz on the violin.
Playverb
To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute; as, to play tricks.
Playverb
To act or perform (a play); to represent in music action; as, to play a comedy; also, to act in the character of; to represent by acting; to simulate; to behave like; as, to play King Lear; to play the woman.
Playverb
To engage in, or go together with, as a contest for amusement or for a wager or prize; as, to play a game at baseball.
Playverb
To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.
Playnoun
Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols.
Playnoun
Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement or diversion; a game.
Playnoun
The act or practice of contending for victory, amusement, or a prize, as at dice, cards, or billiards; gaming; as, to lose a fortune in play.
Playnoun
Action; use; employment; exercise; practice; as, fair play; sword play; a play of wit.
Playnoun
A dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy; a composition in which characters are represented by dialogue and action.
Playnoun
The representation or exhibition of a comedy or tragedy; as, he attends ever play.
Playnoun
Performance on an instrument of music.
Playnoun
Motion; movement, regular or irregular; as, the play of a wheel or piston; hence, also, room for motion; free and easy action.
Playnoun
Hence, liberty of acting; room for enlargement or display; scope; as, to give full play to mirth.
Playnoun
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage;
Playnoun
a theatrical performance of a drama;
Playnoun
a preset plan of action in team sports;
Playnoun
a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill;
Playnoun
a state in which action is feasible;
Playnoun
utilization or exercise;
Playnoun
an attempt to get something;
Playnoun
play by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules;
Playnoun
(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds;
Playnoun
the removal of constraints;
Playnoun
a weak and tremulous light;
Playnoun
verbal wit (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously);
Playnoun
movement or space for movement;
Playnoun
gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement;
Playnoun
the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize);
Playnoun
the activity of doing something in an agreed succession;
Playnoun
the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
Playverb
participate in games or sport;
Playverb
act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome;
Playverb
play on an instrument;
Playverb
play a role or part;
Playverb
be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children;
Playverb
replay (as a melody);
Playverb
perform music on (a musical instrument);
Playverb
pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind;
Playverb
move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly;
Playverb
bet or wager (money);
Playverb
engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion;
Playverb
pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity;
Playverb
emit recorded sound;
Playverb
perform on a certain location;
Playverb
put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game;
Playverb
engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously;
Playverb
behave in a certain way;
Playverb
cause to emit recorded sounds;
Playverb
manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination;
Playverb
use to one's advantage;
Playverb
consider not very seriously;
Playverb
be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way;
Playverb
behave carelessly or indifferently;
Playverb
cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space;
Playverb
perform on a stage or theater;
Playverb
be performed;
Playverb
cause to happen or to occur as a consequence;
Playverb
discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream;
Playverb
make bets;
Playverb
stake on the outcome of an issue;
Playverb
shoot or hit in a particular manner;
Playverb
use or move;
Playverb
employ in a game or in a specific position;
Playverb
contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle;
Playverb
exhaust by allowing to pull on the line;
Playbacknoun
The replaying of something previously recorded, especially sound or moving images.
Playbacknoun
the act of reproducing recorded sound;
Playbacknoun
electronic equipment comprising the part of a tape recorder that reproduces the recorded material
