A1verb high_frequency_chunk

Play

🇬🇧 UK /["/pleɪ/","/pleɪz/","/pleɪd/","/ˈpleɪɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/pleɪ/","/pleɪz/","/pleɪd/","/ˈpleɪɪŋ/"]/

Meaning of Play

to do things for pleasure, as children do; to enjoy yourself, rather than work

In simple words: to engage in an activity for fun or enjoyment.

Play in a sentence

• The children love to play in the park every afternoon.
• Can you play the piano beautifully?
• She decided to play in the school basketball team this year.
• Let's play a game to pass the time.
• The movie will play at the local theater this weekend.
• He wanted to play a villain in the next school play.
• They always play together after school.
• Did you see that the band will play at the festival?

How to use Play

Use 'play' when talking about activities done for enjoyment, particularly games, sports, or music. Avoid using it in formal contexts where specific terms may be more appropriate (e.g., 'perform' for music).

Grammar pattern

play + object (e.g. play a game, play music)

Memory hint

Think of a child at a playground — they love to 'play'!

Related words

Collocations with Play

• let somebody
• at
• with
• let somebody
• at
• with
• brilliantly
• superbly
• well
• learn to
• teach somebody to
• be difficult to
• against
• at
• for
• beautifully
• brilliantly
• excellently
• learn to
• teach somebody to
• be easy to

Synonyms for Play

• engage
• participate
• perform
• recreate
• frolic

Opposites of Play

• work
• study
• labor

Common mistakes with Play

• Confused with 'play' vs 'play with' (the latter implies interaction with someone).
• Using 'play' without an object (e.g. saying 'I play' instead of 'I play guitar').

Frequently asked questions about Play

What does Play mean?

to engage in an activity for fun or enjoyment.

What is the definition of Play?

to do things for pleasure, as children do; to enjoy yourself, rather than work

How do you use Play in a sentence?

The children love to play in the park every afternoon.

Can you give another example of Play?

Can you play the piano beautifully?

What are synonyms for Play?

Common alternatives include engage, participate, perform, recreate, frolic.

What is the opposite of Play?

Opposite meanings include work, study, labor.

What words go with Play?

It commonly pairs with let somebody, at, with, let somebody, at, with, brilliantly, superbly, well, learn to, teach somebody to, be difficult to, against, at, for, beautifully, brilliantly, excellently, learn to, teach somebody to, be easy to.

What are common mistakes when using Play?

Confused with 'play' vs 'play with' (the latter implies interaction with someone). Using 'play' without an object (e.g. saying 'I play' instead of 'I play guitar').

How do you pronounce Play?

US: /["/pleɪ/","/pleɪz/","/pleɪd/","/ˈpleɪɪŋ/"]/, UK: /["/pleɪ/","/pleɪz/","/pleɪd/","/ˈpleɪɪŋ/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Play?

Use 'play' when talking about activities done for enjoyment, particularly games, sports, or music. Avoid using it in formal contexts where specific terms may be more appropriate (e.g., 'perform' for music).

What CEFR level is Play?

"Play" is at A1 level on the CEFR scale.