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Play

v. joyful, energetic everyday

What it means

Meaning 1

To take part in an enjoyable activity, game, or imaginative pastime.

Reach for it when describing recreation or experimentation whose value includes enjoyment

Children play among the fruit trees while their families tend the garden.

Meaning 2

To perform music on an instrument or as a recording.

Reach for it when describing the act of making or presenting music

The quartet will play a short piece written by a local student.

Words to choose between 9

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom, and by meaning across. Tap a word to see when it fits.
Meaning 1Meaning 2
playful
everyday
  • Play (this word)
  • Play (this word)
warm
professional
formal
literary

Meaning 1: To take part in an enjoyable activity, game, or imaginative pastime.

  • playful

    romp

    Fits when vigorous noisy play is the image

    Careful The word is too boisterous for imaginative, strategic, or gentle play.

  • warm

    have fun

    Fits when enjoyment matters more than the particular activity

    Careful People can play seriously, competitively, or experimentally without obvious fun.

  • professional

    experiment

    Fits when trying possibilities without fear of failure is central

    Careful Experiment may be serious work with no recreation or game.

  • formal

    recreate

    Fits when leisure restores energy

    Careful The verb is uncommon in this sense and can instead mean create again.

  • literary

    frolic

    Fits when energetic carefree movement suits the scene

    Careful It sounds childish and does not fit a quiet game or adult competition.

Meaning 2: To perform music on an instrument or as a recording.

  • playful

    jam

    Fits when musicians improvise informally together

    Careful It is too casual for rehearsed, solo, or ceremonial performance.

  • warm

    make music

    Fits when shared musical activity deserves plain inclusive language

    Careful The phrase can include composing or singing rather than playing an instrument.

  • professional

    perform

    Fits when music is presented to an audience

    Careful Perform can include dance, acting, or duty and does not identify an instrument.

  • formal

    sound

    Fits when a recording or signal is caused to be heard

    Careful Sound does not fit a musician performing live.

Opposites 4

  • work
  • refrain
  • silence
  • mute

Common phrases 4

  • play together

    The new courtyard gives children of different ages room to play together.

  • play music

    They play music each Friday without amplifying it over conversation.

  • play a game

    We can play a game while the paint dries.

  • play outside

    Children can play outside once the damaged branch is removed.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, California accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated