Word

play, n.
(plays)
freq. cnt. 61

a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
<noun.communication> freq. cnt.: 44 freq. cnt.: 32 freq. cnt.: 12

drama dramatic play play

sample sentences

"he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

playlet play play play play

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

dramatic dramatist dramatize dramatize dramatise dramatise

semantic pointers

domain of synset (topic)

drama

part meronym

stage direction act

hypernym

dramatic composition, dramatic work

hyponym

Grand Guignol theater of the absurd playlet miracle play morality play mystery play Passion play satyr play

a theatrical performance of a drama
<noun.communication> freq. cnt.: 10 freq. cnt.: 10

play

sample sentences

"the play lasted two hours"

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

playlet play play play play

semantic pointers

hypernym

show

hyponym

musical comedy, musical, musical theater curtain raiser

a preset plan of action in team sports
<noun.act> freq. cnt.: 8 freq. cnt.: 8

play

sample sentences

"the coach drew up the plays for her team"

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

play play play

semantic pointers

hyponym

knock on power play football play razzle-dazzle, razzle, razzmatazz, razmataz basketball play

hypernym

plan of action

a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
<noun.act> freq. cnt.: 6 freq. cnt.: 6

maneuver manoeuvre play

sample sentences

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

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

play play

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

manoeuvre

semantic pointers

hypernym

movement, motion, move

part holonym

athletic game

hyponym

takeaway figure completion, pass completion ball hawking assist icing, icing the puck jugglery obstruction baseball play footwork shot, stroke safety blitz, linebacker blitzing, blitz mousetrap, trap play

a state in which action is feasible
<noun.state> freq. cnt.: 2 freq. cnt.: 2

play

sample sentences

"the ball was still in play"
"insiders said the company's stock was in play"

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

play

semantic pointers

hypernym

activity, action, activeness

activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
<noun.act> freq. cnt.: 1 freq. cnt.: 1

child's play play

sample sentences

"Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

play

semantic pointers

hypernym

recreation, diversion

hyponym

house doctor fireman

an attempt to get something
<noun.act> freq. cnt.: 2 freq. cnt.: 1 freq. cnt.: 1

bid play

sample sentences

"they made a futile play for power"
"he made a bid to gain attention"

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

bid

semantic pointers

hypernym

effort, attempt, try, endeavor, endeavour

utilization or exercise
<noun.act> freq. cnt.: 1 freq. cnt.: 1

play

sample sentences

"the play of the imagination"

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

play

semantic pointers

hypernym

use, usage, utilization, exercise, employment, utilisation

the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
<noun.act>

play swordplay

semantic pointers

hypernym

action

hyponym

fencing

the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
<noun.act> freq. cnt.: 4 freq. cnt.: 4

gambling gaming play