Search Chambers
Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
play verb (played, playing) 1 intrans said especially of children: to spend time in recreation, eg dancing about, kicking a ball around, doing things in make-believe, generally having fun, etc. 2 intrans to pretend for fun; to behave without seriousness. 3 (also play at something) to take part in (a recreative pursuit, game, sport, match, round, etc) • We played rounders • played at rounders. 4 (also play against someone) to compete against them in a game or sport • St Johnstone played Aberdeen last week. 5 intrans, colloq to co-operate • He refuses to play. 6 sport to include someone as a team member • playing McGuire in goal. 7 sport to hit or kick (the ball), deliver (a shot), etc in a sport. 8 cards to use (a card) in the course of a game • played the three of clubs. 9 to speculate or gamble on (the Stock Exchange, etc) • playing the market. 10 tr & intr a to act or behave in a certain way • play it cool • not playing fair; b to pretend to be someone or something • play the dumb blonde. 11 to act (a particular role) • play host to the delegates. 12 (usually play in something) tr & intr to perform a role in (a play) • played Oliver in the school play. 13 tr & intr said especially of a pop group: to perform in (a particular place or venue) • Oasis played London last year. 14 intrans said of a film, play, etc: to be shown or performed publicly • playing all next week. 15 music a to perform (a specified type of music) on an instrument • plays jazz on the saxaphone • plays the sax; b to perform on (an instrument) 16 to turn on (a radio, a tape-recording, etc). 17 intrans a said of recorded music, etc: to be heard from a radio, etc; b said of a radio, etc: to produce sound. 18 intrans said of a fountain: to be in operation. 19 to direct (a hose, etc). 20 angling to allow (a fish) to tire itself by its struggles to get away. noun 1 recreation; playing games for fun and amusement • children at play. 2 the playing of a game, performance in a sport, etc • rain stopped play. 3 colloq behaviour; conduct • fair play • foul play. 4 (plays) a dramatic piece for the stage or a performance of it • The play is being put on at the Playhouse. 5 fun; jest • said in play. 6 range; scope • give full play to the imagination. 7 freedom of movement; looseness • too much play in the steering. 8 action or interaction • play of sunlight on water • play of emotions. 9 use • bring all one's cunning into play. 10 the display that animals make in courtship. in or out of play sport said of a ball: in, or not in, a position where it may be played. make a play for something to try to get (eg someone's attention). make great play of something to emphasize it or stress its importance. make play with something to make effective or over-obvious use of it. play ball colloq to co-operate. play fast and loose to act in an irresponsible, inconsistent and reckless way. play for time to delay action or decision in the hope or belief that conditions will become more favourable later. play the field to spread one's interests, affections or efforts over a wide range of subjects, people, activities, etc, rather than concentrating on any single thing or person. play the game see under game1. play hard to get to make a show of unwillingness to co-operate or lack of interest, with a view to strengthening one's position. play hell or havoc with something to damage it; to upset things. play hookey see under hookey. play into the hands of someone to act so as to give, usually unintentionally, an advantage to them. play it colloq to behave in, or manage, a situation in the stated way • play it cool • play it slowly • I'm not sure how to play it. play it or one's cards close to one's chest to be secretive about one's actions or intentions in a particular matter. play it by ear to improvise a plan of action to meet the situation as it develops. play merry hell with someone or something to harm or damage. play a part in something to be instrumental in it; to take part in it. play possum see under possum. play safe to take no risks. play with fire to take foolish risks.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon plegan.
play about or around to behave ineffectively or irresponsibly. play about or around with someone to behave irresponsibly towards them, their affections, etc. play about or around with something to fiddle or meddle with it. play someone along to manipulate them, usually for one's own advantage. play along with someone to co-operate with them for the time being; to humour them. play at something 1 to make a pretence of it, especially in play • play at being cowboys. 2 to indulge in it trivially or flippantly • play at politics. 3 ironic to try to achieve it • What are they playing at? play something back to play (a film or sound recording) through immediately after making it. See also playback. play something down to represent it as unimportant; to minimize, make light of or discount it. play off 1 to replay a match, etc after a draw. 2 golf to play from the tee. See also play-off. play one person off against another to set them in rivalry, especially for one's own advantage. play on something 1 to exploit (someone's fears, feelings, sympathies, etc) for one's own benefit. 2 to make a pun on it • played on the two meanings of 'batter'. play something on someone to perpetrate (a trick or joke) against them. play something out to act out in real life a part, scene, etc that is so predictable that it could have come from a play. See also played out. play over or across something said eg of light, facial expression, etc: to flicker over, across, etc (a surface, etc). play up 1 colloq to behave unco-operatively. 2 colloq to cause one pain or discomfort • His stomach is playing up again. 3 colloq said of a machine, etc: to function faultily. 4 to try one's hardest in a game, match, etc. play something up to highlight it or give prominence to it. play up to someone to flatter them; to ingratiate oneself with them. play with oneself colloq to masturbate oneself. play with someone 1 said especially of children: to spend time in recreation with them. 2 colloq to joke with them at their expense • I think you're just playing with me. 3 slang to masturbate them. play with something to contemplate (an idea, plan, etc) • played with the idea of becoming a writer. |
play verb (played, playing) 1 intrans said especially of children: to spend time in recreation, eg dancing about, kicking a ball around, doing things in make-believe, generally having fun, etc. 2 intrans to pretend for fun; to behave without seriousness. 3 (also play at something) to take part in (a recreative pursuit, game, sport, match, round, etc) • We played rounders • played at rounders. 4 (also play against someone) to compete against them in a game or sport • St Johnstone played Aberdeen last week. 5 intrans, colloq to co-operate • He refuses to play. 6 sport to include someone as a team member • playing McGuire in goal. 7 sport to hit or kick (the ball), deliver (a shot), etc in a sport. 8 cards to use (a card) in the course of a game • played the three of clubs. 9 to speculate or gamble on (the Stock Exchange, etc) • playing the market. 10 tr & intr a to act or behave in a certain way • play it cool • not playing fair; b to pretend to be someone or something • play the dumb blonde. 11 to act (a particular role) • play host to the delegates. 12 (usually play in something) tr & intr to perform a role in (a play) • played Oliver in the school play. 13 tr & intr said especially of a pop group: to perform in (a particular place or venue) • Oasis played London last year. 14 intrans said of a film, play, etc: to be shown or performed publicly • playing all next week. 15 music a to perform (a specified type of music) on an instrument • plays jazz on the saxaphone • plays the sax; b to perform on (an instrument) 16 to turn on (a radio, a tape-recording, etc). 17 intrans a said of recorded music, etc: to be heard from a radio, etc; b said of a radio, etc: to produce sound. 18 intrans said of a fountain: to be in operation. 19 to direct (a hose, etc). 20 angling to allow (a fish) to tire itself by its struggles to get away. noun 1 recreation; playing games for fun and amusement • children at play. 2 the playing of a game, performance in a sport, etc • rain stopped play. 3 colloq behaviour; conduct • fair play • foul play. 4 (plays) a dramatic piece for the stage or a performance of it • The play is being put on at the Playhouse. 5 fun; jest • said in play. 6 range; scope • give full play to the imagination. 7 freedom of movement; looseness • too much play in the steering. 8 action or interaction • play of sunlight on water • play of emotions. 9 use • bring all one's cunning into play. 10 the display that animals make in courtship. in or out of play sport said of a ball: in, or not in, a position where it may be played. make a play for something to try to get (eg someone's attention). make great play of something to emphasize it or stress its importance. make play with something to make effective or over-obvious use of it. play ball colloq to co-operate. play fast and loose to act in an irresponsible, inconsistent and reckless way. play for time to delay action or decision in the hope or belief that conditions will become more favourable later. play the field to spread one's interests, affections or efforts over a wide range of subjects, people, activities, etc, rather than concentrating on any single thing or person. play the game see under game1. play hard to get to make a show of unwillingness to co-operate or lack of interest, with a view to strengthening one's position. play hell or havoc with something to damage it; to upset things. play hookey see under hookey. play into the hands of someone to act so as to give, usually unintentionally, an advantage to them. play it colloq to behave in, or manage, a situation in the stated way • play it cool • play it slowly • I'm not sure how to play it. play it or one's cards close to one's chest to be secretive about one's actions or intentions in a particular matter. play it by ear to improvise a plan of action to meet the situation as it develops. play merry hell with someone or something to harm or damage. play a part in something to be instrumental in it; to take part in it. play possum see under possum. play safe to take no risks. play with fire to take foolish risks.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon plegan.
play about or around to behave ineffectively or irresponsibly. play about or around with someone to behave irresponsibly towards them, their affections, etc. play about or around with something to fiddle or meddle with it. play someone along to manipulate them, usually for one's own advantage. play along with someone to co-operate with them for the time being; to humour them. play at something 1 to make a pretence of it, especially in play • play at being cowboys. 2 to indulge in it trivially or flippantly • play at politics. 3 ironic to try to achieve it • What are they playing at? play something back to play (a film or sound recording) through immediately after making it. See also playback. play something down to represent it as unimportant; to minimize, make light of or discount it. play off 1 to replay a match, etc after a draw. 2 golf to play from the tee. See also play-off. play one person off against another to set them in rivalry, especially for one's own advantage. play on something 1 to exploit (someone's fears, feelings, sympathies, etc) for one's own benefit. 2 to make a pun on it • played on the two meanings of 'batter'. play something on someone to perpetrate (a trick or joke) against them. play something out to act out in real life a part, scene, etc that is so predictable that it could have come from a play. See also played out. play over or across something said eg of light, facial expression, etc: to flicker over, across, etc (a surface, etc). play up 1 colloq to behave unco-operatively. 2 colloq to cause one pain or discomfort • His stomach is playing up again. 3 colloq said of a machine, etc: to function faultily. 4 to try one's hardest in a game, match, etc. play something up to highlight it or give prominence to it. play up to someone to flatter them; to ingratiate oneself with them. play with oneself colloq to masturbate oneself. play with someone 1 said especially of children: to spend time in recreation with them. 2 colloq to joke with them at their expense • I think you're just playing with me. 3 slang to masturbate them. play with something to contemplate (an idea, plan, etc) • played with the idea of becoming a writer. |
play verb (played, playing) 1 intrans said especially of children: to spend time in recreation, eg dancing about, kicking a ball around, doing things in make-believe, generally having fun, etc. 2 intrans to pretend for fun; to behave without seriousness. 3 (also play at something) to take part in (a recreative pursuit, game, sport, match, round, etc) • We played rounders • played at rounders. 4 (also play against someone) to compete against them in a game or sport • St Johnstone played Aberdeen last week. 5 intrans, colloq to co-operate • He refuses to play. 6 sport to include someone as a team member • playing McGuire in goal. 7 sport to hit or kick (the ball), deliver (a shot), etc in a sport. 8 cards to use (a card) in the course of a game • played the three of clubs. 9 to speculate or gamble on (the Stock Exchange, etc) • playing the market. 10 tr & intr a to act or behave in a certain way • play it cool • not playing fair; b to pretend to be someone or something • play the dumb blonde. 11 to act (a particular role) • play host to the delegates. 12 (usually play in something) tr & intr to perform a role in (a play) • played Oliver in the school play. 13 tr & intr said especially of a pop group: to perform in (a particular place or venue) • Oasis played London last year. 14 intrans said of a film, play, etc: to be shown or performed publicly • playing all next week. 15 music a to perform (a specified type of music) on an instrument • plays jazz on the saxaphone • plays the sax; b to perform on (an instrument) 16 to turn on (a radio, a tape-recording, etc). 17 intrans a said of recorded music, etc: to be heard from a radio, etc; b said of a radio, etc: to produce sound. 18 intrans said of a fountain: to be in operation. 19 to direct (a hose, etc). 20 angling to allow (a fish) to tire itself by its struggles to get away. noun 1 recreation; playing games for fun and amusement • children at play. 2 the playing of a game, performance in a sport, etc • rain stopped play. 3 colloq behaviour; conduct • fair play • foul play. 4 (plays) a dramatic piece for the stage or a performance of it • The play is being put on at the Playhouse. 5 fun; jest • said in play. 6 range; scope • give full play to the imagination. 7 freedom of movement; looseness • too much play in the steering. 8 action or interaction • play of sunlight on water • play of emotions. 9 use • bring all one's cunning into play. 10 the display that animals make in courtship. in or out of play sport said of a ball: in, or not in, a position where it may be played. make a play for something to try to get (eg someone's attention). make great play of something to emphasize it or stress its importance. make play with something to make effective or over-obvious use of it. play ball colloq to co-operate. play fast and loose to act in an irresponsible, inconsistent and reckless way. play for time to delay action or decision in the hope or belief that conditions will become more favourable later. play the field to spread one's interests, affections or efforts over a wide range of subjects, people, activities, etc, rather than concentrating on any single thing or person. play the game see under game1. play hard to get to make a show of unwillingness to co-operate or lack of interest, with a view to strengthening one's position. play hell or havoc with something to damage it; to upset things. play hookey see under hookey. play into the hands of someone to act so as to give, usually unintentionally, an advantage to them. play it colloq to behave in, or manage, a situation in the stated way • play it cool • play it slowly • I'm not sure how to play it. play it or one's cards close to one's chest to be secretive about one's actions or intentions in a particular matter. play it by ear to improvise a plan of action to meet the situation as it develops. play merry hell with someone or something to harm or damage. play a part in something to be instrumental in it; to take part in it. play possum see under possum. play safe to take no risks. play with fire to take foolish risks.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon plegan.
play about or around to behave ineffectively or irresponsibly. play about or around with someone to behave irresponsibly towards them, their affections, etc. play about or around with something to fiddle or meddle with it. play someone along to manipulate them, usually for one's own advantage. play along with someone to co-operate with them for the time being; to humour them. play at something 1 to make a pretence of it, especially in play • play at being cowboys. 2 to indulge in it trivially or flippantly • play at politics. 3 ironic to try to achieve it • What are they playing at? play something back to play (a film or sound recording) through immediately after making it. See also playback. play something down to represent it as unimportant; to minimize, make light of or discount it. play off 1 to replay a match, etc after a draw. 2 golf to play from the tee. See also play-off. play one person off against another to set them in rivalry, especially for one's own advantage. play on something 1 to exploit (someone's fears, feelings, sympathies, etc) for one's own benefit. 2 to make a pun on it • played on the two meanings of 'batter'. play something on someone to perpetrate (a trick or joke) against them. play something out to act out in real life a part, scene, etc that is so predictable that it could have come from a play. See also played out. play over or across something said eg of light, facial expression, etc: to flicker over, across, etc (a surface, etc). play up 1 colloq to behave unco-operatively. 2 colloq to cause one pain or discomfort • His stomach is playing up again. 3 colloq said of a machine, etc: to function faultily. 4 to try one's hardest in a game, match, etc. play something up to highlight it or give prominence to it. play up to someone to flatter them; to ingratiate oneself with them. play with oneself colloq to masturbate oneself. play with someone 1 said especially of children: to spend time in recreation with them. 2 colloq to joke with them at their expense • I think you're just playing with me. 3 slang to masturbate them. play with something to contemplate (an idea, plan, etc) • played with the idea of becoming a writer. |
-
The Chambers Dictionary (13th edition)
“Chambers is the one I keep at my right hand”- Philip Pullman.
The unrivalled dictionary for word lovers, now in its 13th edition.
-
The Chambers Thesaurus
The Chambers Thesaurus (4th Edition) is a veritable treasure-trove, including the greatest selection of alternative words and phrases available in an A to Z format. -
Chambers Biographical Dictionary
“Simply all you need to know about anyone” – Fay Weldon.
Thoroughly revised and updated for its 9th edition.
Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
Search Tip
A wildcard is a special character you can use to replace one or more characters in a word. There are two types of wildcard. The first is a question mark ?, which matches a single character. The second is an asterisk *, which matches zero or more characters. The two kinds of wildcard can be mixed in a single search.
View More Search Tips