play

verb (ACT)

/pleɪ/

Definition

B1 [I or T] to perform an entertainment or a particular character in a play, film, or other entertainment: In the film version, Branagh played the hero. Scottish Opera played to full houses every night. I didn't realize that 'Macbeth' was playing (= being performed) at the Guildhall.Acting, rehearsing and performing › [T] to behave or pretend in a particular way, especially in order to produce a particular effect or result: to play dead/dumb Would you mind playing host (= entertaining the guests)?Behaving, interacting and behaviour play a joke/trick B2 to deceive someone to make them laugh or in order to get an advantage over them: She loves playing practical jokes on her friends.Cheating and trickingPlotting and trapping play a part B2 to help to achieve something: My thanks to everyone who has played a part in saving the hospital.Helping and co-operating

(Definition of play verb (ACT) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

Browse related topics

You are looking at an entry to do with Helping and co-operating, but you might be interested in these topics from the Helping and not helping topic area: