Word of the day:

Ties in with the thought of the day: PLAY! noun 1. a dramatic composition or piece; drama. 2. a dramatic performance, as on the stage. 3. exercise or activity for amusement or recreation. 4. fun or jest, as opposed to seriousness: I said it merely in play. 5. a pun. 6. the playing, action, or conduct of a game: The pitcher was replaced in the fourth inning of play. 7. the manner or style of playing or of doing something: We admired his fine play throughout the game. Expand verb (used with object) 22. to act the part of (a person or character) in a dramatic performance; portray: to play Lady Macbeth. 23. to perform (a drama, pantomime, etc.) on or as if on the stage. 24. to act or sustain (a part) in a dramatic performance or in real life: to play the role of benefactor. 25. to act the part or character of in real life: to play the fool; to play God. 26. to give performances in, as a theatrical company does: to play the larger cities. 27. to engage in (a game, pastime, etc.). 28. to contend against in a game. Expand verb (used without object) 45. to exercise or employ oneself in diversion, amusement, or recreation. 46. to do something in sport that is not to be taken seriously. 47. to amuse oneself; toy; trifle (often followed by with). 48. to take part or engage in a game. 49. to take part in a game for stakes; gamble. 50. to conduct oneself or act in a specified way: to play fair. 51. to act on or as if on the stage; perform. Expand Verb phrases 63. play along, to cooperate or concur; go along. to pretend to cooperate or concur. 64. play around, Informal. to behave in a playful or frivolous manner; fool around. to be sexually promiscuous. to be sexually unfaithful. 65. play at, to pretend interest in: It's obvious that you're just playing at fishing for my sake. to do something without seriousness: He is merely playing at being a student. 66. play back, to play (a recording, especially one newly made): Play it back and let's hear how I sound. 67. play down, to treat as of little importance; belittle: He has consistently played down his own part in the successful enterprise. 68. play off, Sports. to play an extra game or round in order to settle a tie. Sports. to engage in an elimination game or games after the regular season is over in order to determine the champion. to set (one person or thing) against another, usually for one's own gain or advantage: The children could usually get what they wanted by playing one parent off against the other. 69. play on /upon, to exploit, as the feelings or weaknesses of another; take selfish advantage of: She would never think of playing on the good nature of others. Expand Idioms 72. bring into play, to put into motion; cause to be introduced: New evidence has been brought into play in this trial. 73. come to play, Informal. to be disposed to play or participate in a manner reflecting a determination to win or succeed: We're a small new business, but we came to play. 74. in /out of play, in or not in the state of being played during a game: The umpire says the ball was not in play. 75. make a play for, Informal. to try to attract, especially sexually: He made a play for his friend's girlfriend. to attempt to gain by impressing favorably: This ad will make a play for new consumer markets. 76. play ball. ball1(def 23). 77. play both ends against the middle, to maneuver opposing groups in order to benefit oneself. 78. play by ear, to play (music or a musical instrument) without printed music, as by memory of what one has heard or by unschooled musical instinct. Expand Origin Expand Middle EnglishOld English 900before 900; (noun) Middle English pleye, Old English plega; (v.) Middle English pleyen, Old English pleg (i) an (cognate with Middle Dutch pleien to leap for joy, dance, rejoice, be glad) Related forms Expand playingly, adverb playless, adjective playlike, adjective counterplay, noun nonplaying, adjective Expand Synonyms Expand 2. show. 3. diversion, pastime. Play, game, sport refer to forms of diverting activity. Play is the general word for any such form of activity, often undirected, spontaneous, or random: Childhood should be a time for play. Game refers to a recreational contest, mental or physical, usually governed by set rules: a game of chess.Besides referring to an individual contest, game may refer to a pastime as a whole: Golf is a good game.If, however, the pastime is one (usually an outdoor one) depending chiefly on physical strength, though not necessarily a contest, the word sport is applied: Football is a vigorous sport. 18, 19. liberty. 23. enact. 25. personate, impersonate. 30. use. 32. bet. 33. back. 45. sport, frolic, romp, revel. 47. dally. verb 1. to occupy oneself in (a sport or diversion); amuse oneself in (a game) 2. (transitive) to contend against (an opponent) in a sport or game: Ed played Tony at chess and lost 3. to fulfil or cause to fulfil (a particular role) in a team game: he plays defence, he plays in the defence MY source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/play?s=t PLAY MY FRIENDS>