play (v)

Definition: participate in games or sport
Example: We played hockey all afternoon. play cards. Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches.

play (v)
act as (v)
act (v)

Definition: pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
Example: He acted the idiot. She plays deaf when the news are bad.

toy (v)
play (v)

Definition: engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
Example: They played games on their opponents. play the stock market. play with her feelings. toy with an idea.

act (v)
play (v)
represent (v)

Definition: play a role or part
Example: Gielgud played Hamlet. She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role. She played the servant to her husband's master.