Meaning of playing In English

• 0 present participle of play

• 1 When you play, especially as a child, you spend time doing an enjoyable and/or entertaining activity:

  • The children spent the afternoon playing with their new toys.

  • My daughter used to play with the kids next door.

• 2 to take part in a game or other organized activity:

  • Do you want to play cards/football (with us)?

  • Irene won't be able to play in the tennis match on Saturday.

  • Which team do you play for?

  • Luke plays centre-forward (= plays in that position within the team).

  • Who are the Giants playing next week?

  • He played the ball back to the goalkeeper.

  • A good pool player takes time deciding which shot to play.

  • She played the ace of spades.

• 3 to perform an entertainment or a particular character in a play, film, etc.:

  • Scottish Opera played to full houses every night.

  • I didn't realize that "Macbeth" was playing (= being performed) at the festival.

  • In the movie version, Branagh played the hero.

  • to play dead/dumb

  • Would you mind playing host (= entertaining the guests)?

  • She loves playing practical jokes on her friends.

  • My thanks to everyone who has played a part in saving the hospital.

• 4 to perform music on an instrument or instruments:

  • He learned to play the clarinet at the age of ten.

  • [ + two objects ] Play us a song!/Play a song for us!

  • On Radio London they play African and South American music as well as rock and pop.

  • They could hear a jazz band playing in the distance.

  • Play the last few minutes of the video again.

• 5 to direct or be directed over or onto something:

  • Firefighters played their hoses onto the base of the fire.

  • A fountain was playing (= sending out water) in the courtyard outside.

  • A smile played across/over/on his lips.

• 6 to risk money, especially on the results of races or business deals, hoping to win more money:

  • He plays the horses/the stock market.