play: meaning and words from its letters
4 letters · 9 letter points · starts with P · ends with Y
Meaning of play
verb
- intransitive
To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.
Example: The children played in the park.
- especially, intransitive
To toy or trifle; to act with levity or thoughtlessness; to be careless.
Example: Don't play with your food!
- intransitive, transitive
To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game).
Example: He plays on three teams.
- intransitive, transitive
To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game). Specifying a particular sporting role or position.
Example: He plays left back for Mudchester Rovers
Listed forms: plays, playing, played.
Source: Wiktionary — play.
noun
- uncountable
Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.
Example: Children learn through play.
- uncountable
Similar activity in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills.
Example: This kind of play helps the young lion cubs develop their hunting skills.
- uncountable
The conduct, or course, of a game.
Example: Play was very slow in the first half.
- also, figuratively, uncountable
The sphere or circumstance in which a playing implement, such as a ball, is played or available to be played (see also in play, out of play).
Example: In potting the yellow ball, he's knocked the green into play.
Listed forms: plays.
Source: Wiktionary — play.
Adapted from Wiktionary contributors via Kaikki.org. Selected senses and forms; quotations omitted. Definition text is CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms by meaning
Words are grouped by sense, so they are not necessarily interchangeable in every context. Search synonyms for play.
noun
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
- drama
- dramatic play
noun
a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
noun
an attempt to get something
noun
activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
- child's play
Open English WordNet Team, 2025, derived from Princeton University WordNet; selected synonym groups under CC BY 4.0. Source · OEWN notice · Princeton notice.
Is play in our word lists?
| Word list | Status |
|---|---|
| American English | Found |
| British English | Found |
| Extended English | Found |
These are spelling-list matches, not official game validity checks. Check the rules and dictionary used by your game.
Letter-value score of play
P(3) + L(1) + A(1) + Y(4) = 9 points.
This is a sum of letter values without board bonuses or word multipliers. A blank tile is worth zero: subtract the value of each letter supplied by a blank. The score does not establish game validity. Full letter-value table.
Anagrams of play
1 other standard-list word uses exactly these letters, including repeated letters.
Shorter words from play
13 shorter standard-list words can be made using no letter more often than it occurs in play. Showing up to 24, longest first.