Staged drama

verb

1. To engage in sport or recreation frolic
2. To have sexual relations
3. To engage or take part in a game
4. To perform in a position in a specified manner

   "the outfielders were playing deep"

5. To perform an action during one's turn in a game
6. Gamble
7. To be suitable for dramatic performance
8. To act with special consideration so as to gain favor, approval, or sympathy

   "might play to popular prejudices to serve his political ends"

9. To produce a specified impression in performance

   "a movie that plays like a sitcom"

10. To take advantage

    "playing on fears"

11. To move or function freely within prescribed limits
12. To produce a stream

    "hoses playing on a fire"

13. To gain approval go over

    "her idea did not play well"

14. To pretend to engage in the activities of

    "play war"

15. To put into action in a game
16. To catch or pick up (a batted ball) field

    "played the ball bare-handed"

17. To direct the course of (something, such as a ball) hit

    "played a wedge shot to the green"

18. To perform or act the part of

    "play the fool"

19. To perform (music) on an instrument

    "play a waltz"

20. To perform music on

    "play the violin"

21. To perform music of (a certain composer)
22. Wield, ply
23. To discharge, fire, or set off with continuous effect

    "played the hose on the burning building"

24. To cause to move or operate lightly and irregularly or intermittently
25. To keep (a hooked fish) in action

noun

1. The stage representation of an action or story
2. A dramatic composition drama
3. Recreational activity
4. The act or an instance of playing on words or speech sounds
5. Absence of serious or harmful intent jest

   "said it in play"

6. Gaming, gambling
7. The conduct, course, or action of a game
8. One's turn in a game

   "it's your play"

9. The moving of a piece in a board game (such as chess)
10. The action in which cards are played after bidding in a card game
11. Swordplay
12. Game, sport
13. Emphasis or publicity especially in the news media

    "wished the country received a better play in the American press"

14. A move or series of moves calculated to arouse friendly feelings
15. Sexual intercourse
16. Amorous flirtation dalliance

noun

1. A pass play in football in which the quarterback fakes a handoff before passing the ball

verb

1. To perform a playback of (a usually recently recorded disc or tape)

adjective

1. Being or giving a running commentary on a sports event

   "a radio play-by-play announcer"

2. Relating each event as it occurs

verb

1. To attach little importance to minimize

idiomatic phrase

1. To serve as a host for (someone or something)

   "Each year, the city plays host to the film festival for one week."

verb

1. To set in opposition for one's own gain
2. To set in contrast
3. To complete the playing of (an interrupted contest)
4. To break (a tie) by a playoff

verb

1. To perform to the end

   "play out a role"

2. Use up, finish
3. Unreel, unfold

   "played out a length of line"

4. To become spent or exhausted
5. Develop, unfold

   "see how things play out"

noun

1. Psychotherapy in which a child is encouraged to reveal feelings and conflicts in play rather than by verbalization