Play vs. Playing
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 gamesPlayingnoun
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
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.
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 comedyPlayverb
(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 tricksPlayverb
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 gamePlayverb
(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 BroadwayPlaynoun
a theatrical performance of a drama;
the play lasted two hoursPlaynoun
a preset plan of action in team sports;
the coach drew up the plays for her teamPlaynoun
a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill;
he made a great maneuverthe runner was out on a play by the shortstopPlaynoun
a state in which action is feasible;
the ball was still in playinsiders said the company's stock was in playPlaynoun
utilization or exercise;
the play of the imaginationPlaynoun
an attempt to get something;
they made a futile play for powerhe made a bid to gain attentionPlaynoun
play by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules;
Freud believed in the utility of play to a small childPlaynoun
(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds;
rain stopped play in the 4th inningPlaynoun
the removal of constraints;
he gave free rein to his impulsesthey gave full play to the artist's talentPlaynoun
a weak and tremulous light;
the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathersthe play of light on the waterPlaynoun
verbal wit (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously);
he became a figure of funPlaynoun
movement or space for movement;
there was too much play in the steering wheelPlaynoun
gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement;
it was all done in playtheir frolic in the surf threatened to become uglyPlaynoun
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 tablePlaynoun
the activity of doing something in an agreed succession;
it is my turnit is still my playPlaynoun
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 matchesPlayverb
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 dismissalPlayverb
play on an instrument;
The band played all night longPlayverb
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 masterPlayverb
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 girlPlayverb
replay (as a melody);
Play it again, SamShe played the third movement very beautifullyPlayverb
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 badPlayverb
move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly;
The spotlights played on the politiciansPlayverb
bet or wager (money);
He played $20 on the new horseShe plays the racesPlayverb
engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion;
On weekends I playThe students all recreate alikePlayverb
pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity;
Let's play like I am mommyPlay cowboy and IndiansPlayverb
emit recorded sound;
The tape was playing for hoursthe stereo was playing Beethoven when I enteredPlayverb
perform on a certain location;
The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16She has been playing on Broadway for yearsPlayverb
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 victoryPlayverb
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 ideaPlayverb
behave in a certain way;
play safeplay it safeplay fairPlayverb
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 SenatePlayverb
use to one's advantage;
She plays on her clients' emotionsPlayverb
consider not very seriously;
He is trifling with herShe plays with the thought of moving to TasmaniaPlayverb
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 committeePlayverb
behave carelessly or indifferently;
Play about with a young girl's affectionPlayverb
cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space;
The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rackPlayverb
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 yearsPlayverb
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 areaPlayverb
discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream;
play water from a hoseThe fountains played all dayPlayverb
make bets;
Play the reacesplay the casinos in TrouvillePlayverb
stake on the outcome of an issue;
I bet $100 on that new horseShe played all her money on the dark horsePlayverb
shoot or hit in a particular manner;
She played a good backhand last nightPlayverb
use or move;
I had to play my queenPlayverb
employ in a game or in a specific position;
They played him on first basePlayverb
contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle;
Princeton plays Yale this weekendCharlie likes to play MaryPlayverb
exhaust by allowing to pull on the line;
play a hooked fish
