playing

Meanings

Plural: playings

Noun

• the act of playing a musical instrument
• the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation
• the performance of a part or role in a drama
• An occasion on which something, such as a song or show, is played.

Verb

• participate in games or sport
• act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
• play on an instrument
• play a role or part
• be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
  • "The kids were playing outside all day"
• replay (as a melody)
• perform music on (a musical instrument)
• pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
• move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
• bet or wager (money)
• engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
• pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
• emit recorded sound
  • "The tape was playing for hours"
  • "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"
• perform on a certain location
  • "She has been playing on Broadway for years"
• 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 chest"
• engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
• behave in a certain way
• cause to emit recorded audio or video
  • "He never tires of playing that video"
• manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
• use to one's advantage
• consider not very seriously
• be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way
• behave carelessly or indifferently
• cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
  • "The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"
• perform on a stage or theater
• be performed or presented for public viewing
  • "What's playing in the local movie theater?"
  • "`Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"
• cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
• discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
• make bets
• stake on the outcome of an issue
• shoot or hit in a particular manner
• use or move
• employ in a game or in a specific position
• contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
• exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
• present participle and gerund of play

Synonyms

act, act as, acting, bet, bring, dally, diddle, encounter, fiddle, flirt, make for, meet, performing, play, playact, playacting, recreate, represent, roleplay, run, spiel, take on, toy, trifle, wager, work, wreak

Related Words

ball-playing, extended playing time, hooky-playing, level playing field, long-playing, massively multiplayer online role-playing game, non-playing, playing card, playing field, role playing game, role-playing, role-playing game, role-playing video game, roll-playing