1no object Engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.

孩子们在池塘边玩耍。

她的朋友们在玩布娃娃。

1. 1.1with object Engage in (a game or activity) for enjoyment.
   玩（游戏）；搞（活动）
   I want to play Snakes and Ladders

   我想玩蛇梯棋。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Those were the days of mini skirts and she would always seat herself across from me while we played cards.
   • Armed with copies of the morning newspapers and flasks of coffee and dressed in their civvies, they chatted, or played cards to pass the time.
   • Out on the town we played Space Invaders or PacMan down at our local video parlour.
   • It was unlikely I was going to find Adie playing Space Invaders at such an unearthly hour, but it was worth a try.
   • I've been playing Mario world all day, and am going to have another shot at it today.
   • When you play Monopoly with your family, there are rules that you enforce and rules that you probably don't.
   • They also played board games like checkers, chess, and dominoes.
   • She said: ‘I have been playing Scrabble for 14 years and I love the variety and challenge of it.’
   • The poor creatures aren't even allowed to play conkers at school any more.
   • After dinner that night we played cards for a while.
   • Too much emphasis is placed on solitary activities such as playing video games or watching television.
   • The other girls would tiptoe down the hall and peek in on them, watching as they played cards and draughts.
   • As such, the games were quite fun to play, despite their rather basic gameplay.
   • He sat down next to me as though he'd never been away, and we played cards and had a few beers - a lot of beers, to be honest.
   • Remember when you were a kid playing poker on your kitchen table for pennies?

   Synonyms

   take part in, participate in, engage in, be involved in, join in, compete in, do
2. 1.2 Amuse oneself by engaging in imaginative pretence.
   假扮…玩
   the boys were playing at soldiers

   这些男孩在玩扮演士兵。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • As a child, she had played at being a gun-toting cowgirl.
   • In summer we played shop in back yards or gardens, or hopscotch on the pavements.
   • My children don't play with guns, but at lunchtime some were playing at shooting each other.
   • As a boy, I used to play cowboys and Indians all the time.
   • It is like little boys and girls playing doctors and nurses.
   • I waiting impatiently for the bell to ring so I could run out to meet my friends at the playground and play cops and robbers.
   • It was all a game, like playing at shops; but unknowingly, I was learning the value of money.
3. 1.3play at Engage in without proper seriousness or understanding.
   儿戏似的做，不认真地干
   it would be wrong to assume that he is simply playing at right-wing politics

   说他只是把右翼政治当作儿戏玩玩而已那就错了。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Lemar doesn't actually seem to know they're just playing at being in love with each other.
   • But they were playing at being villains, like in the movies.
   • I mean, they were just playing at it before, but now they're completely serious.
   • Their conformity to the tenets of a philosophy that was supposed to be about non-conformity, suggests that, deep down, they were were playing at it.
   • So that she could play at being a countrywoman at Versailles, Louis XV provided her with a hermitage comprising a pavilion, a menagerie, a pasture, dairy and kitchen garden.

   Synonyms

   pretend to be, give the appearance of, assume/affect the role of, pass oneself off as, masquerade as, profess to be, pose as, impersonate, make out, fake, feign, simulate, affect, go through the motions of

   North American informal make like
4. 1.4play with Treat inconsiderately for one's own amusement.
   玩弄
   she likes to play with people's emotions

   她喜欢玩弄人的情感。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • No-one would exploit real people and play with their emotions and date them just for a piece of art.
   • And I don't really think Jen is playing with Josh's feelings, I think she's just as confused as she sounds.
   • She should have known that Eddie was just playing with her heart like everyone else he flirted with.
   • Do you think I've just been playing with your emotions this last fortnight?

   Synonyms

   take advantage of, impose on, exploit, make use of, use, abuse, misuse, manipulate, take liberties with, trifle with, play with
5. 1.5play with Fiddle or tamper with.
   摆弄，玩弄
   has somebody been playing with these taps?

   有人一直在摆弄这些水龙头吗？

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Julie walked over and sat down next to her, playing with the cuffs of her sweatshirt.
   • His eyes wander evasively, he plays with his cigar and glances round a supposed movie studio that is nothing more than a shoddy mock-up.
   • He peeled himself away from the shadows and walked over to us, idly playing with his sword.
   • Sarah plays with her food with her fork, picking out the chocolate chips and making a pile of them at the side of her plate.
   • Her salad was whisked away and she moved onto playing with the noodles in her pasta.
   • For the next 15 minutes Vanessa picked at her nails as Isabel played with her hair.
   • Elizabeth played with one of the flowers in her basket as they walked in silence.
   • He plays with his hands as we sit down at the Toronto International Film Festival to discuss his latest project.
   • Cable tidies will help prevent children from tripping over cables and playing with them.
   • She had stopped eating and was just playing with her pasta, pushing it around the plate with her fork.

   Synonyms

   handle, hold, pick up, move
6. 1.6be playing atwith negative or in questions Used to convey one's irritation at someone's actions or one's failure to understand their motives.
   用以表示对某人行为的恼怒或表示未能理解其动机干，闹
   what on earth do you think you're playing at?

   想想看，你到底是在干吗？

   Example sentencesExamples

   • She poked at it with the bread knife and asked, ‘What did you think you were playing at, bringing that filth into my kitchen?’
   • It's hard to imagine just what the BBC is playing at here.
   • I had a talk to Phil and asked him just what precisely he thought he was playing at?
   • Then a bus garage came into view, and we realised that the bus was going there, so we went downstairs and asked the driver what he was playing at.
   • Then she got angry with the men, asking what they thought they were playing at and all that.
   • What does the US Administration think it is playing at?
   • When five executives left Royal Bank Development Capital last summer, seasoned observers wondered what they were playing at.
   • This time Spain at least knew what they were playing at and it is true that the side is very, very young and packed with potential.
   • It certainly does make we wonder what the BBC thinks it is playing at!
   • Interrupting a sentimental ditty, he asked them what they thought they were playing at.

2with object Take part in (a sport)

我打壁球和羽毛球。

1. 2.1 Participate in (a sporting match or contest)
   参加（体育比赛或竞赛）
   the squad will have played 14 games in six weeks

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Kanoute looked as if he hadn't played a football match all season.
   • In September to mid November, the training program will reach its peak with the bowlers expected to play up to 75 games.
   • I was really hoping for a win but we played well and we are going in the right direction.
   • We would rather play as many games as possible against top notch teams.
   • In the end the match was played amid a torrential downpour, plus thunder and lightning.
   • So, in an eventful year, he played nine tournaments, won six of them and came runner-up in two.
   • The competition was played over three days on two of the best golf courses in Cyprus.
   • When United last played a semi-final in Manchester in 1998 there were two nights of trouble in the city.
   • Omagh were forced to play three championship matches in eight days in October.
   • Yet it was difficult not to feel sorry for Latvia, playing their first match in a major tournament.
   • The surgery invigorated him so much that in his first year of retirement he played up to three rounds of golf per week.
   • One feature common to all great teams is the ability to win when playing badly.
   • However, despite playing rather poorly, they dug in and achieved an unlikely victory.
   • Cork and Galway have played nine championship games between them.
   • Before the new season Rovers will play up to eight friendlies, including games against Premier League teams Hearts and St Mirren.
   • From start to finish, the 40-over contest was played under leaden skies and falling rain.
   • The match was played in a very sporting spirit and both teams are to be complimented for this.
   • In Barcelona the players will be playing at least five games
   • The country's hockey team is currently playing a series of matches in Spain.
   • The game will be played under floodlights, kicking off at 3pm.
   • Chelsea's Claude Makelele has hinted he may have played his last match for France.
   • He plays to win; that's why he is the great golfer he is.
   • He has height and pace and is rated highly by the England management, but has not played a championship match since June.

   Synonyms

   take part in, participate in, engage in, be involved in, join in, compete in, do
2. 2.2 Compete against (another player or team) in a sporting match.
   （在体育比赛中）同…比赛
   the team will play France on Wednesday

   星期三这支球队将与法国队比赛。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • We traveled to different bowling centers, played different teams, and it was a lot of fun.
   • At times you have to chop and change, particularly when you are playing good teams.
   • Apparently the International Rugby Board think it's a good idea to have France play Ireland in Paris on Feb 14th.
   • Horgan, Johns and Ward drop to the bench and Murphy has been relegated to the A team which plays South Africa in Limerick tonight.
   • This division of parental loyalties has made it such that in sporting contests when England plays Germany, he is unsure of whom to barrack for.
   • He is the only new cap in the team which plays Bangladesh in the opening Test of a two-Test series at Buffalo Park tomorrow.
   • He plays a qualifier in the first round but must then get past two-time semi-finalist Todd Martin.
   • We organised a staff volleyball team to play the senior team last week and we beat them!
   • It is very rare that the defending champions play the team they wrested the trophy from in a World Cup finals.
   • So Keighley were playing a team made up of a mixture of second and third players.
   • In the Test matches, we are playing the second-ranked team in the world so that's very difficult in itself.
   • Team USA plays China today, and Mendoza can hardly believe she is part of this.
   • We need to be able to play these big teams and stay composed and hold onto the ball.
   • My team plays his about 3 times a year, and every game is a barn burner and we take turns winning.
   • We may just get a bit tense, and that comes down to inexperience, playing the best team in the world.
   • In this instance, the fact that they will be playing a team they know very little about could work to their disadvantage.
   • The only problem is that we are playing a top side away from home and that makes it even more difficult to get a result.
   • It is never easy playing a team that is fighting relegation and has had two bad results on the spin.
   • We had a loss to Italy and we came right back and played the home team Germany.
   • The tournament is played on a round robin basis, with each team playing every other team.

   Synonyms

   compete against, contend against, oppose, take on, challenge, vie with, rival
3. 2.3no object Be part of a team, especially in a specified position, in a sporting contest.
   （尤指在体育竞赛中某个具体位置上）司职
   he played in goal

   他担任守门员。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • It obviously did the trick, because I became a regular in the first team and went on to play for England.
   • Juan Sebastian Veron is not the first member of his family to play for an English league team.
   • Would he rather be playing for a more fashionable club, one at which it is easier to gain international selection?
   • Now, because they have seen how I play for the national team, they have a new respect for British football.
   • He now has it written into his club contract that he plays at No 10, and since he has enjoyed that continuity he has played very well indeed.
   • He plays on the wing, but it was at fullback where he found his twinkling feet.
   • More than anything, and certainly more than money, he wanted to play for England.
   • The ultimate goal is to play for Scotland, but there are lots of things before that.
   • It is important to have players in the England team who play regularly together at club level.
   • He is 30 next month and might not have many more opportunities to play for England.
   • He joined the national team and plays on behalf of his adopted country.
   • Chopra may have been a revelation to many but not to those who have watched him play for his club or state.
   • The boy has been playing for the Under- 18s this season, with just a couple of reserve starts.
   • Edilson played up front in place of the suspended Ronaldinho.
   • He plays at right-back or right wing-back, but he can also be played upfront.
   • Peter Crouch comes on for Owen - if he gets booked, England will only have Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott to play up front in their quarter-final against Germany.
   • Both are Manchester United supporters who dream of playing at Old Trafford one day.
   • He also played in goal on the college team that won the Munster junior championship in 1994.
   • Not only that, but he was asked to play in midfield rather than his usual central defensive position.
   • He was a lovely kid and he's gone on to play for Northern Ireland and Wimbledon.
4. 2.4 Strike (a ball) or execute (a stroke) in a game.
   （在游戏中）击（球）；击打
   was he in an offside position when his teammate played the ball?

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Every time Patrick got anywhere near the opposition box he would freeze and not know where to play the ball.
   • Deep inside stoppage time, substitute Matt Woolf played the ball over Bremner, picking out Kempster on the left.
   • He is more in tune with what the coaches want, and he's playing the ball much better.
   • Emre plays a cross-field ball from left to right.
   • Ultimately, it will all boil down to how well and how frequently you play the ball with the middle of the bat.
   • After tea Peterson and Kreusch batted carefully, taking the singles and playing each ball on its merit.
   • However at 37 in the 11th over, Ramesh played an adventurous stroke and was bowled for 20.
   • Brian Dunne played a good ball up the right wing to Gino O'Boyle and he crossed into the box where John Conlon got between two defenders to head home.
   • They got stuck into us, they played the ball forward all the time.
   • He missed a challenge and the ball was played through to the unmarked Karl Smith.
   • Their right winger got past two of our defenders and played the ball into out box.
   • Ian Harte played the ball down the left to Alan Smith.
   • Trezeguet is caught marginally offside as Henry plays the ball through to him.
   • They can play the ball up to the strikers, and not take too much risk going forward.
   • Steven Gerrard plays a long ball from left to right, which Luis Garcia fails to control properly and immediately gives away.
   • Hargreaves plays the ball into Pizarro on the edge of the Celtic box.
   • James Keddy played the ball down the left wing for Robbie Doyle.
   • He went back to the tee to play a provisional ball but then he found his original ball and he played that.
   • The one consistent complaint about his batting is that he tries to play far too many shots.
   • Our batsmen played too many shots square of the wicket off the new ball.
5. 2.5no object, with adverbial (of a cricket ground) be in such condition as to have a specified effect on play.
   （板球场状况对比赛）产生影响
   Example sentencesExamples

   • The wicket wasn't playing that easily, but he knew which shots worked for him on that wicket and was able to adapt his game to that.
   • They were invited to bat and scored six for 187, a seemingly fair target on a wicket that was playing well.
   • The pitch was playing beautifully, but the bowlers stuck to their task.
6. 2.6 Assign to take part in a match, especially in a specified position.
   （尤指比赛中在特定位置上）安排，任用，确定（运动员）
   the manager played his strongest side of the season

   领队确定了本赛季最强大的阵容。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • One alternative would be to play Danny up front if young Jon Cartledge settles at the back.
   • Crewe boss Dario Gradi elected to play his strongest side last night and was rewarded with a half-time lead courtesy of a Rob Hulse goal.
   • Dessie O'Malley, Dara Ainsworth, Daniel Fahy and Roger Clarke are all either injured or unavailable and manager Fergie McEllin may be forced to play midfielders up front.
   • Perhaps he was wrong not to have played his chosen team before that game.
   • When I came back from injury earlier this season, the gaffer took a chance on me and played me up front against Dundee United.
   • Eriksson still has not worked out the best partnership to play up front.
   • He was played in the wrong position and did not do too well, but as soon as he moved up front he has got better and better.
   • The Indian tour selection committee played into their hands by playing just two fast bowlers.
   • Advocaat tried playing him up front, but he only managed one goal in seven.
   • Whether England manager Clive Woodward plays him at full-back, on the wing or even at centre on Saturday, he is a certain starter.
   • At the moment, Fergie is experimenting with playing Scholes up front, just off the big striker, van Nistelrooy.
   • Each of these three managers will play their first choice eleven whenever they can.
   • He's another natural goal scorer, but Stalybridge have played him in midfield where I think he is wasted.
   • Peru greatly altered their team selection and played a defender up front.
   • The Giants were playing me out of position at second base, and the Pirates moved me back to third.
   • Initially, he was played out of position at right-back.
   • Woodward, desperate to get the best out of him, has played him in four positions.
   • Playing him in that position helps us to play four bowlers and bat deeper down.
   • He let it be known his complaint with Robson was that he was played out of position too often at Newcastle and it was affecting his England career.
   • Aliadiere would have started and I wanted to play front him up, but he was sick.
7. 2.7 Move (a piece) or display (a playing card) in one's turn in a game.
   打，出（牌）；走（棋子）
   he played his queen

   他出了一张王后牌。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Somebody always has to play the role of banker as well as playing their own piece.
   • There may be cards left on the table after everyone has played their cards from the first deal.
   • Each player has a hand of six cards, and a turn consists of replenishing your hand to six and then playing a card.
   • Upon playing a card, his opponent must lay down all of his cards of the same suit and the same rank.
   • Then, on each turn, everyone simultaneously plays a card from their hand.
   • If you expose the queen of spades, then the first time that someone leads a spade you are not allowed to play the queen if you have other spades.
   • If you have the Ace of trump, you are guaranteed to win the trick you play that in.
   • Then she played the last card currently in her hand, which was a 6 of Diamonds, by the way.
   • Note that the game very often ends in the middle before all the cards are played.
8. 2.8 Bet or gamble at or on.
   打赌，赌博
   he didn't gamble or play the ponies

   他没有赌博也没有赌马。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Advertised as a game, the online lottery is ‘played’ by buying a free slip over the counter, which allows the buyer to play up to six boards, each priced at Rs.10.
   • Even if you're not into playing the ponies, the setting is marvelous and it's a superb place for a picnic.
   • I don't play the lotto and I avoid gambling at all costs.
   • The club now allows women to play bingo on Sunday afternoons, but it still won't make us full members.
   • Another important factor in playing the lottery is to play within your means.
   • The money people spend playing the lottery keeps some of these taxes from going up.
   • His happiness relies on a visit to the casino to play the slot machines.
   • It was his first time at Fair Grounds but playing the ponies is nothing to new to him.
   • Mary is not a gambler, but she is very lucky when she plays on the slot machines.

3no object, usually with negative Be cooperative.

他需要经济支持，但建筑协会并不买他的账。

4with object Represent (a character) in a theatrical performance or a film.

早期她曾扮演过奥菲莉娅。

1. 4.1no object Perform in a film or theatrical production.
   （在电影或戏剧中）表演
   he was proud to be playing opposite a famous actor

   他引以为豪的是正跟一位著名演员演对手戏。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • In The Silver Fleet, she plays opposite another star of the London stage, Ralph Richardson.
   • He has also played in Irish language productions at the Abbey Theatre.
   • Taylor might as well have been playing opposite a wooden Indian for all the response she got from him.
2. 4.2 Put on or take part in (a theatrical performance, film, or concert)
   演出；参加（戏剧，电影，音乐会）
   the show was one of the best we ever played

   这次演出是我们所演出的最好的场次之一。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • He played a concert at the hall where I worked before I came here.
   • They will play a concert at Bolton's Albert Halls on Saturday before the orchestra.
   • Waterford is never far from his heart, however, and he usually plays at least one gig in his home city.
   • The Monkees played a post-game concert there after a Rapids match.
   • Kissin plays around 40 concerts a year, which is one possible explanation for the fact that he never seems to tire of playing the piano.
   • The Rolling Stones played their debut concert at the Marquee club in London in 1962.
   • Bryan Ferry is in Auckland at the moment playing concerts tomorrow and Sunday.
   • Jools Holland is playing an open-air concert near Tunbridge Wells soon.
   • She will also play her first concert in Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on July 30.
   • Shankar learned vocals from the age of two, violin from age five and played his first concert at seven.
   • The Sligo trio have spoke several times of their burning desire to play a concert in their home town.
   • As of this month, I've rejoined my old band as the drummer, and we'll be playing at least four shows in March.
   • Their run came to a fitting climax last week when they played their final concert of the season to another full house.
   • The Galway band continued to grow their fan base by playing gigs up and down the country, sometimes headlining, sometimes supporting.
   • Not only is he alive, but he's healthy, just short of 60 and still playing packed-out concerts.
   • Robbie had always wanted to be the first British artist to play a concert in the new Wembley Stadium when it opens next summer.
   • The band recently played a concert at the Beacon Court Tavern in his home town of Gillingham.
   • Retired John said: ‘Clare now lives in Bath but pops up to visit or stays with us when she's playing a concert up north.’
   • Hayes is due to play a concert at the House Of Blues in New Orleans tomorrow.
   • Still, it could be a bit late to become interested in their music, since they've just played their last concerts.

   Synonyms

   put on, present, produce, give
3. 4.3 Give a dramatic performance at (a particular theatre or place)
   （在特定戏院或地点）演戏
   the company are playing 11 cities around the country

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Tonight he plays Glasgow for the first time in years, and I can't decide whether to go or not.
   • Suzanne Vega plays the City Hall, Salisbury on 27 June.
   • I played some fantastic theatres and worked with some great people.
   • Then, at the end of the year, I'll be playing a few venues up and down the country, such as the Armadillo in Glasgow.
   • Reynolds plays the Green Room Sunday night and the Railway Club on Wednesday.
   • Having played both cities on numerous occasions, the differences are significant.
   • He even found time to return to the US, playing venues down the East and West coast, from Boston to Los Angeles.
   • He was sheer magic at Garter Lane on his previous visit and should not be missed when he plays the Theatre Royal.
   • The brilliant Backbeat Beatles play the Pavilion Theatre in Bournemouth on Monday.
   • Presumably he couldn't resist playing a home town gig on Good Friday, taking him home for the Easter hols.
   • That line-up played Brixton Academy and a couple of other gigs until Mark left.
   • It had been four years since Blur last played the capital, let us hope that the same amount of time does not have to elapse before the next batch of dates.
   • This is the National Theatre's touring production - if it plays anywhere near you, do not miss it.
   • I know that I'm going to be playing New York for sure.
   • A man who holds a special place in the Irish comic imagination, Brendan always brings the house down in venues he plays around the world.
   • I've just tried booking tickets to see Kraftwerk, as I heard they were playing Brixton Academy on 20th March next year.
   • Next time they play their home town they deserve to be playing to a packed house.
   • The days of playing unglamorous locations like the South Morang Hotel are all over.
   • With another couple of live sets under their belts they played the Universe 2 party one year later.
4. 4.4 Behave as though one were (a specified type of person)
   假扮
   the skipper played the innocent, but smuggled goods were found on his vessel

   那位船长假扮清白，但从他的船上却发现了走私物品。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • She stood in the corner playing the shy bride in her long red bridal dress.
   • But in the meantime John is more than happy to stay at home and play dad.
   • His call for an early election was an attempt to play the hero again.
   • A cynic would say that people enjoy playing the victim and jumping on the grief bandwagon, they enjoy the attention and the sympathy.
   • Don't play the innocent with me, Gisela - you do this for your benefit as well as mine.
   • As a young girl, Cora had always enjoyed playing the nurse for her brother or her cousins.
5. 4.5play someone for Treat someone as being of (a specified type)
   将某人看作（某种类型的人）
   don't imagine you can play me for a fool

   别以为你能把我当傻瓜。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • She plays him for a fool, often feigning helplessness just to see what lengths he will go to in order to prove his love for her.
   • Someone had played me for a sucker and I was going to make sure he - or she - paid for it.
   • A councillor has accused a brewery of playing Bexley Council for a mug over a pub's opening hours.
   • She and Bruce have been playing me for a fool since the beginning.
   • Are you just playing Rob for a sucker, Amber?

5with object Perform on (a musical instrument)

1. 5.1 Possess the skill of performing on (a musical instrument)
   演奏（乐器）
   he taught himself to play the violin

   他自学了拉小提琴。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • As well as playing the flute Rosie plays the piano, violin, guitar and sings.
   • Justin s parents began to teach him how to play the piano and the flute when he was about eight years old.
   • He taught himself how to play the guitar, and Clapton's ballad was the first song he learned.
   • You might want to learn a new skill such as painting or playing a musical instrument, or consider taking up a new sport such as fishing or golf.
   • Although singing or playing an instrument is a learned skill, it also is an art.
   • I have always begged Nick to teach me to play the guitar but every time he has an excuse not to.
   • I bought him a little drum kit and guitar and he could play the piano from when he was a toddler.
   • Anxious for the boy's future, his father, William, taught him to play the piano from library books.
   • Mr McGovern has written almost 70 songs and taught himself to play the guitar at 18.
   • David was a natural musician who taught himself to play the piano after watching a female pianist at his local pub.
   • Billy is still playing two nights a week and he taught his eight children to play musical instruments.
   • I've been playing the piano and guitar since I was in the third grade and I turn 38 later this year.
   • She has taught herself to play rhythm guitar and also plays piano and violin.
   • Caleb has always had a passion for music and is learning to play the violin and bass guitar.
   • Evora also plays the violin and performed in her high school's symphony for three years.
   • He plays the piano and French horn and teaches music to help pay his way through uni.
   • His mother, a middle school guidance counselor, plays both clarinet and violin.
   • Franz learnt to play the piano and the violin from his father and brothers, and later the viola.
   • As a young boy he played the flute, but later took up playing the violin.
   • It was Max's grandpa who taught him to play the accordion and speak some Russian.

   Synonyms

   perform on, make music on

   blow, sound, strum
2. 5.2 Produce (notes) from a musical instrument; perform (a piece of music)
   拉（或弹、吹）出（音符）；演奏（音乐）
   they played a violin sonata

   他们演奏了一支小提琴奏鸣曲。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • You only have to listen to them play music and perform to see how good they are.
   • This is a work for violin and piano, here played by Leopold Avakian and Mitchell Andrews.
   • As we walked on stage for our first gig the crowd went wild - and we hadn't played a note.
   • When you get there, a jazz group is quietly playing Scott Joplin to an appreciative audience lounging on the grass.
   • They will be playing music by Bradford-born Frederick Delius among other composers.
   • Inconspicuously, a three piece ensemble plays background music.
   • As part of the service, Mr Needham's favourite piece of music was played.
   • The group will play works by Mozart and Weber, and a selection of light classics.
   • Pupils played classical pieces as well as songs from films and shows.
   • They shared a love of music and they would play violin sonatas together, Einstein on the violin and Born on piano.
   • They play the same pieces more than once in a season with different conductors.
   • She sat down at the piano in front of her copy of the music and played a few random notes, humming along.
   • A year later, she was playing the Bach Double Violin Concerto under Menuhin.
   • Paddy, who is a noted musician, played a number of tunes on the violin and was in his usual good form.
   • He plays Khachaturian's violin concerto next Friday in the opening concert of the NSO's national tour.
   • Colin Dean played some pieces on the organ, notably a fantasia by Farnaby.
   • The first piece was played so quietly and sensitively that it clearly affected the huge audience.
   • They broke into spontaneous clapping, cheering and whistling when the Band of the Irish Guards played Happy Birthday for the Queen at the end of the parade as a surprise.
   • The best pieces of American Jazz music will be played and performed on stage.
   • The concertmaster played a note on his violin and Lev tuned his instrument to it.
3. 5.3 Make (a disc, music player, or other device) produce sounds or recorded images.
   someone is playing a record—I can hear the drum

   Example sentencesExamples

   • These re-enactments were videotaped and the videos were played in court.
   • We can't even play the radio in our shop without the Peforming Rights Society wanting a royalty from it.
   • Write in to any radio stations you know of and demand that they play this record.
   • On the coach back we came down gently while listening to the cricket that the driver insisted on playing on the radio.
   • They don't want the ice cream man in their neighborhood because the music he plays wakes up their kid.
   • I am making a great big mental note to play this album an awful lot more than I normally do.
   • And a third of adults use digital, satellite and cable TV to play the new radio stations.
   • He insists on leaving one overcrowded ruin of an apartment building because another refugee plays his radio too loudly.
   • Others suggest that if a major artist did record a protest song, no US radio station would play it.
   • I mean nobody plays my records any more… I've got this single coming out right, and who's gonna play it?
   • She could faintly hear the radio being played and Shawn humming to the beat.
   • Still, I didn't really want to be there listening to the DJs playing records, I wanted to see the main act.
   • Local radio stations are also interested in playing her work, which Sam compares in style with that of Alanis Morissette.
   • She plays a few tracks from Sao Vicente Di Longe, an album by a Cape Verde singer called Cesaria Evora.
   • Mr Warren said that it had been proposed to play the video without the sound.
   • By 9 pm, I had watched a dvd and played some records, and I was ready for something else.
   • A number of new tracks were also played, including the impressive Blonde Ambition.
   • They don't stay up all night playing rather loud music, and banging all the house doors.
   • Sometimes, just every now and again they play a track I actually like.
   • She spent half a day explaining The Beatles to me and playing me their music.
   • I played the title track again and again, drugged up to the eyeballs on morphine.
4. 5.4no object (of a musical instrument, music player, or other device) produce sounds or recorded images.
   （乐器、唱片、录音机等）发出声音
   somewhere within, a harp was playing

   里面某个地方有竖琴的声音。

   some of the videos are playing without sound

   with object from behind the curtains an organ played a jolly tune

   Example sentencesExamples

   • He tilts his head to one side, listening to music playing in the shop.
   • He leaves the front door slightly ajar to hear the early Dylan and Stones records playing from inside.
   • The National Anthem plays over the sound system.
   • Bright Eyes was playing over the sound system and I felt much better, despite being soaked to the bone.
   • He lights a cigarette, and as the song plays on the radio, he questions his life - Was his daddy right, is he wasting his life?
   • The short-wave radio was playing a soft sound from the American Music Network.
   • The jukebox is playing Jazz music and musical notes seem to be floating through the room.
   • We then walked in silence to the studio, where the last record was still playing.
   • Some kind of Indian stringed instrument is playing quietly over loudspeakers, adding a hint of exoticism.
   • The organ started playing as we entered, and the sound was truly heavenly.
   • He pauses to savour the Kylie Minogue song playing over the bar sound system.
5. 5.5with object and adverbial of direction Accompany (someone) with music as they are moving in a specified direction.
   （在某人朝特定方向移动时，用音乐）伴随，陪伴
   the bagpipes played them out of the dining room

   他们在风笛乐声中走出了餐厅。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Brother James, would you play the girls in please?
   • The procession then moved on the Town Hall to be played in by a pianist performing the ‘Uist Tramping Song’.

6no object Move lightly and quickly, so as to appear and disappear; flicker.

1. 6.1 (of a fountain or similar source of water) emit a stream of gently moving water.
   （喷泉或类似水源）涌出，溢出（轻柔流淌的水）
   a fountain played in the courtyard

   Example sentencesExamples

   • The garden was beautiful, plants and shrubs tumbling around a vibrant lawn in the centre of which a fountain tinkled and played.
   • In the centre of the lush garden, an elaborate marble fountain played, spraying sparkling jewels of water into the air.
   • The lawns are mown, the box hedge parterres are neatly clipped and the central fountain plays gently in the sunshine.

7with object Allow (a fish) to exhaust itself pulling against a line before reeling it in.

1Activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation, especially by children.

玩耍时的孩子会用棍子当飞机。

1. 1.1 Behaviour or speech that is not intended seriously.
   玩笑
   I flinched, but only in play

   我退缩了，但只是开开玩笑而已。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Gordy and Stevie were fighting, but Rhiannon knew it was only in play.
   • Teach kids to respect the cat, and do not allow them to chase or corner the cat even in play.
2. 1.2as modifier Designed to be used in games of pretence; not real.
   游戏的；假装的；假的
   play families are arranged in play houses

   游戏家庭被安排在了游戏屋里。

2The conducting of a sporting match.

雨破坏了第二天的比赛。

1. 2.1 The action or manner of engaging in a sport or game.
   （运动，游戏）动作；方式
   he maintained the same rhythm of play throughout the game

   他在整场比赛中保持了同样的动作节奏。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • The wind was making it difficult for both sides and the quality of play did not match that of the first half.
   • Today, we have got used to watching almost constant attacking play.
   • Then in the final minutes of the match some good driving play by Athy saw Gorey concede a penalty.
   • For many years they were treated to glorious attacking play which won football matches.
   • There was zest and quick movement to United's play despite spells of control by Rangers.
   • Saturday's match had plenty of open play but solid defences proved hard to breach at both ends of the pitch.
   • There was a slightly frantic, nervous element to their play after they conceded a needless goal.
   • Their half-back followed up a good break and saw his support play rewarded with the try.
   • His balance is good, his footwork is excellent and his offensive play is there for all to see - it has been superb.
   • He has good speed, but he needs to avoid the silly mistakes that have plagued his play.
   • The crowds in the St Jakobshalle took instantly to Murray's style of play and his expressive personality.
   • This year, though, he has wisely kept his mouth shut and let his play do the talking.
   • His play in October has enhanced his standing as one of the game's top young hitters.
   • The visitors just about deserved their victory for their more incisive back play.
   • The referee had very little to do in this match such was the standard of play and sportsmanship.
   • He had eight doubles, a triple and two home runs in his first month of major league play.
   • The first half was close with neither side gaining dominance in any area of play.
   • Superb play by Dave Armstrong earned him the man of the match award and a goal.
   • I think our style of play means we always risk conceding goals but we try to mitigate that with good attacks.
   • With play moving fast up and down field the defences on each side were getting the better of the forward lines.
2. 2.2 The status of the ball in a game as being available to be played according to the rules.
   球处于可按规则进行比赛的状态
   the ball was put in play

   球被投入到比赛之中。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Windass kept the ball in play and ferried it back to Morrison but there was no conviction about his shot.
   • He walks off the pitch to get treatment, Nigeria kick the ball out of play so he can come back on.
   • It was struck well but the ball hit the cross bar and bounced back into play.
   • For example, the rules of tennis clearly specify when a ball is in play and when it is out of play.
   • Sure, there may be a few more aces than in the past, but a lot more balls are put back into play too.
   • But it was nice to get hold of the ball as quickly as possible and get it back into play.
   • Greece sportingly kick the ball out of play as the duo try to clear their heads.
   • From the free, the ball goes out of play for an Irish throw deep inside their own half.
   • David Hagen knocked the ball out of play but inexplicably a corner, not a goal kick, was awarded.
   • So why not let the computer decide when a ball is in play and keep time for us.
   • Irwin had already been booked for a foul when he played on after the ball was judged to have gone out of play.
   • Emre goes down injured and the ball is put out of play so that he can receive treatment.
   • The ball goes out of play and he gets to his feet with the air about him of a man who'd settle for a corner.
   • If a ball runs out of play or into the goal, the ref is alerted by a device on his wrist.
   • All three hit cracking drives, and all three were reduced to hacking their second shots back into play.
   • It just puts too much of a demand on the rest of your game, so you have to keep the ball in play.
   • The free-kick ends up being played into the corner, but Onder Turaci fails to keep it in play.
   • Those who struggle to get a ball airborne or keep it in play should probably think twice.
   • Prop Howard Carr kicked a penalty into touch and the ball bounced back into play after hitting a tree.
   • The ball was on the verge of going out of play, so the angle was rather narrow.
3. 2.3 The state of being active, operative, or effective.
   开始活动，开始运转，开始起作用
   someone has a bright idea and decides to put it into play

   the forces of a worldwide economy are in play

   Example sentencesExamples

   • There are a number of factors at play here, just one of which is the fact that eating badly is cheaper, unfortunately.
   • The choices are his to make, but the forces at play in his life are far beyond his control.
   • There are, of course, a number of policy considerations in play here, some in conflict.
   • The enemy artillery comes into play and a hail of bullets starts to rain down.
   • Once your income exceeds this tax-free figure, a series of tax bands then comes into play.
   • I personally think that the whole argument about civil liberties comes into play again.
   • The fitness we worked so hard on, that's when it all comes into play, when the season gets gruelling.
   • He has been guilty of significant mistakes; but there is another agenda at play here.
   • It was a compelling theory, but Sarah was well aware that there had been other factors in play.
   • But there was more than thwarted ambition and ministerial rivalry at play here.
   • It is only when more than two teams finish level on points and they have all beaten one another that run rate comes into play.
   • The most likely explanation is that all of these factors were in play.
   • Bravery and heroism come into play when a person potentially puts the safety of others before their own.
   • The US Government's Bureau of Labor says there may be unusual seasonal factors at play in the figures.
   • This is where personal campaigning by influential people here comes into play.
   • It only leaves the cynics to presume that maybe other motives are in play.
   • So much for the various competing, and conflicting interests that are in play.
   • I suspect there is an element of wounded national pride at play here.
   • For those who like to invest, the shares part of the ISA comes into play.
   • The Corsa comes with electric power steering, which only comes into play when needed.

   Synonyms

   action, activity, operation, movement, motion, agency, employment, working, function, functioning, exercise, interaction, interplay
4. 2.4count noun A move or manoeuvre in a sport or game.
   （运动，游戏）动作；方式
   the best play is to lead the 3 of clubs

   最好的打法就是先出梅花3。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • They were one or two plays away from winning all three games.
   • Try and get some of the young players in the league to sit around after a game and rehash the plays.
   • But Woodson is getting more chances to make big plays in the passing game this season.
   • There were some exceptional fielding plays on both sides in this game.
   • His playing time has been reduced to about 20 plays per game, mostly on passing downs.
   • The truly great players make critical defensive plays, hit big shots and hit crucial free throws down the stretch.
   • When the ball is in flight, he has a history of attacking it and making the big play.
   • He always makes the right play, and he even makes the plays you don't think he can make.
   • That's what is most important to them - having a field that helps them make the plays that win the game.
   • He has good vision and hockey sense, and he can make plays and score big goals.
   • They are making the skilled, individual plays the team has been lacking the past few years.
   • Young and Rice hook up for a 44-yard touchdown on the third play from scrimmage.
   • Don't try new shots, plays, or moves in the heat of battle, especially if you haven't practiced them.
   • The players had been told and shown all Salford's inside plays around the rucks and they knew how to counteract them.
   • He must prove to scouts he can stay healthy and give a solid effort on every play.
   • At moments in a game great plays are needed, no matter what the defense, and the superstar shifts gears.
   • It's the most exciting play for a catcher, and when you do it and do it right, it feels good.
   • He makes good adjustments to the ball and seems to be in on every play from scrimmage.
   • On one play, he got the ball on the right side and began dribbling toward the baseline.
   • He is strong enough to play off blocks and make plays in the running game and agile enough to be an asset in coverage.

   Synonyms

   turn, go
5. 2.5archaic The activity of gambling.
   a young nobleman, ruined by play

   Example sentencesExamples

   • A gentleman complained to Talleyrand of having been insulted by a charge of cheating at play.

3count noun A dramatic work for the stage or to be broadcast.

演员们上演了一出新戏。

4The space in or through which a mechanism can or does move.

操向齿条松了，有点活动。

1. 4.1 Scope or freedom to act or operate.
   〈喻〉自由度；运作范围；回旋余地
   our policy allows the market to have freer play

   我们的政策允许市场更自由运作。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • It also recognises the fact that the free play of markets creates problems for society.

   Synonyms

   scope, range, latitude, liberty, licence, freedom, indulgence, free rein, release

5Light and constantly changing movement.

这位艺术家运用了掠过表面的光的变幻。