play

n.

1. Amusement

   enjoyment, diversion, pleasure; see entertainment 1.

2. Recreation

   relaxation, game, sport; see entertainment 2.

3. Fun

   frolic, happiness, sportiveness; see fun.

4. A drama

   piece, musical, theatrical; see drama 1, performance 2, show 2.

5. Sport

   exhibition, match, tryout; see sport 1, 3.

6. Action

   activity, movement, working; see action 1.

make a play for*

play

v.

1. To amuse oneself

   entertain oneself, revel, make merry, carouse, play games, rejoice, have a good time, idle away, horse around*.

   Antonyms mourn*, grieve*, sulk. *

2. To gambol

   frisk, sport, cavort, joke, dance, romp, frolic, play games, make jokes, be a practical joker, jump, jump about, skip, frolic, caper, cut capers*, cut up*, show off*, be the life of the party*, play the fool*, carry on*. *

   Antonyms drag*, mope*, droop. *

3. To produce music

   perform, execute, operate, work, cause to sound, finger, pedal, bow, plunk, tinkle, pipe, toot, mouth, pump, fiddle, sound, strike, saw, scrape, twang, pound, thump, tickle.

4. To display light, erratic movement

   waltz, spout, flicker; see dance 1, 2.

5. To act in a play

   impersonate, present, represent; see act 3, perform 2.

6. To engage in sport

   participate, engage, rival; see compete, contest 2.

7. To pretend

   imagine, suppose, think; see pretend 1.

8. To gamble

   chance, risk, hazard; see gamble 1.