Play vs. Playing

Play vs. Playing — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Play and Playing

Playverb

(intransitive) To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.

They played long and hard.

Playingnoun

(gerund of play) An occasion on which something, such as a song or show, is played.

Playverb

To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game).

He plays on three teams.Who's playing now?play football;play sports;play games

Playingnoun

the act of playing a musical instrument

Playverb

(transitive) To compete against, in a game.

We're playing one of the top teams in the next round.

Playingnoun

the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation

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Playverb

(transitive) (in the scoring of games and sports) To be the opposing score to.

Look at the score now ... 23 plays 8!

Playingnoun

the performance of a part or role in a drama

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.

He plays the King, and she's the Queen.No part of the brain plays the role of permanent memory.

Playverb

To produce music or theatre.

Playverb

To produce music.

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Playverb

To produce music using a musical instrument.

I've practiced the piano off and on, but I still can't play very well.

Playverb

To produce music (or a specified song or musical style) using (a specified musical instrument).

I'll play the piano and you sing.Can you play an instrument?We especially like to play jazz together.Play a song for me.Do you know how to play Für Elise?My son thinks he can play music.

Playverb

To use a device to watch or listen to the indicated recording.

You can play the DVD now.

Playverb

To be performed; to be shown.

His latest film is playing in the local theatre tomorrow.

Playverb

To perform in or at; to give performances in or at.

Playverb

(transitive) To act or perform (a play).

to play a comedy

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.

to play tricks

Playverb

To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate.

The fountain plays.He played the torch beam around the room.

Playverb

(intransitive) To move gaily; to disport.

Playverb

(transitive) To put in action or motion.

to play cannon upon a fortification;to play a trump in a card game

Playverb

(transitive) To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.

Playverb

To manipulate, deceive, or swindle someone.

You played me!

Playnoun

Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.

Children learn through play.

Playnoun

(uncountable) Similar activity in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills.

This kind of play helps the young lion cubs develop their hunting 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.

Play was very slow in the first half.After the rain break, play resumed at 3 o'clock.

Playnoun

(uncountable) An individual's performance in a sport or game.

His play has improved a lot this season.

Playnoun

(countable) A short sequence of action within a game.

That was a great play by the Mudchester Rovers forward.

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.

This book contains all of Shakespeare's plays.

Playnoun

(countable) A theatrical performance featuring actors.

We saw a two-act play in the theatre.

Playnoun

(countable) A major move by a business or investor.

ABC Widgets makes a play in the bicycle market with its bid to take over Acme Sprockets.

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.

No wonder the fanbelt is slipping: there’s too much play in it.Too much play in a steering wheel may be dangerous.

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.

Playnoun

a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage;

he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway

Playnoun

a theatrical performance of a drama;

the play lasted two hours

Playnoun

a preset plan of action in team sports;

the coach drew up the plays for her team

Playnoun

a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill;

he made a great maneuverthe runner was out on a play by the shortstop

Playnoun

a state in which action is feasible;

the ball was still in playinsiders said the company's stock was in play

Playnoun

utilization or exercise;

the play of the imagination

Playnoun

an attempt to get something;

they made a futile play for powerhe made a bid to gain attention

Playnoun

play by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules;

Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child

Playnoun

(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds;

rain stopped play in the 4th inning

Playnoun

the removal of constraints;

he gave free rein to his impulsesthey gave full play to the artist's talent

Playnoun

a weak and tremulous light;

the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathersthe play of light on the water

Playnoun

verbal wit (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously);

he became a figure of fun

Playnoun

movement or space for movement;

there was too much play in the steering wheel

Playnoun

gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement;

it was all done in playtheir frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly

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);

his gambling cost him a fortunethere was heavy play at the blackjack table

Playnoun

the activity of doing something in an agreed succession;

it is my turnit is still my play

Playnoun

the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

Playverb

participate in games or sport;

We played hockey all afternoonplay cardsPele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches

Playverb

act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome;

This factor played only a minor part in his decisionThis development played into her handsI played no role in your dismissal

Playverb

play on an instrument;

The band played all night long

Playverb

play a role or part;

Gielgud played HamletShe wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the roleShe played the servant to her husband's master

Playverb

be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children;

The kids were playing outside all dayI used to play with trucks as a little girl

Playverb

replay (as a melody);

Play it again, SamShe played the third movement very beautifully

Playverb

perform music on (a musical instrument);

He plays the fluteCan you play on this old recorder?

Playverb

pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind;

He acted the idiotShe plays deaf when the news are bad

Playverb

move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly;

The spotlights played on the politicians

Playverb

bet or wager (money);

He played $20 on the new horseShe plays the races

Playverb

engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion;

On weekends I playThe students all recreate alike

Playverb

pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity;

Let's play like I am mommyPlay cowboy and Indians

Playverb

emit recorded sound;

The tape was playing for hoursthe stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered

Playverb

perform on a certain location;

The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16She has been playing on Broadway for years

Playverb

put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game;

He is playing his cards close to his chestThe Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory

Playverb

engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously;

They played games on their opponentsplay the stockmarketplay with her feelingstoy with an idea

Playverb

behave in a certain way;

play safeplay it safeplay fair

Playverb

cause to emit recorded sounds;

They ran the tapes over and over againCan you play my favorite record?

Playverb

manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination;

She played nervously with her wedding ringDon't fiddle with the screwsHe played with the idea of running for the Senate

Playverb

use to one's advantage;

She plays on her clients' emotions

Playverb

consider not very seriously;

He is trifling with herShe plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania

Playverb

be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way;

This speech didn't play well with the American publicHis remarks played to the suspicions of the committee

Playverb

behave carelessly or indifferently;

Play about with a young girl's affection

Playverb

cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space;

The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack

Playverb

perform on a stage or theater;

She acts in this playHe acted in `Julius Caesar'I played in `A Christmas Carol'

Playverb

be performed;

What's playing in the local movie theater?`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years

Playverb

cause to happen or to occur as a consequence;

I cannot work a miraclewreak havocbring commentsplay a jokeThe rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area

Playverb

discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream;

play water from a hoseThe fountains played all day

Playverb

make bets;

Play the reacesplay the casinos in Trouville

Playverb

stake on the outcome of an issue;

I bet $100 on that new horseShe played all her money on the dark horse

Playverb

shoot or hit in a particular manner;

She played a good backhand last night

Playverb

use or move;

I had to play my queen

Playverb

employ in a game or in a specific position;

They played him on first base

Playverb

contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle;

Princeton plays Yale this weekendCharlie likes to play Mary

Playverb

exhaust by allowing to pull on the line;

play a hooked fish