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verb · A1 · very often · UK/US

play

play

Meaning of play

take part in a game

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How important is this word
A1very often

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Pronunciation
British English/ˈpleɪ/
American English/tə ˈpleɪ/
Russian transcription[ɪˈgratʲ]
play
play - play
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play with Russian translation

play usage examples

🇷🇺Russian🇬🇧English

По субботам мы играем в настольные игры в общественном центре.

On Saturdays we play board games at the community centre.

🇷🇺Russian🇬🇧English

Он хочет сыграть в футбол с соседями после работы.

He wants to play football with his neighbours after work.

Learn by topic

play belongs to the topic "Pets". Start with a short 7-word set so the word is easier to remember in context.

playиграть
oceanокеан
groupгруппа
pairпара
eggяйцо
pigeonголубь
wingкрыло

play synonyms

Related word breakdowns

What's the difference between play / take part in / participate in / act / perform / join in

T
🇬🇧English
take part in

to be involved in an event or activity; emphasizes participation rather than playing for fun

A2Often

She takes part in the school play.

P
🇬🇧English
participate in

to join or be involved in an activity or event; slightly more formal than 'take part in'

A2Often

They participate in the annual tournament.

🇬🇧English

to perform as an actor (play a role) or to take action; as a synonym of 'play' only in the acting sense

A2Often

He acts in a local theatre group.

🇬🇧English

to present a show, music, or action to an audience; more formal than 'play' in performance contexts

A2Often

She performs classical music at concerts.

J
🇬🇧English
join in

to take part with others in an activity that is already happening; casual and social

A2Often

Come and join in the game!

E
🇬🇧English
engage in

to become involved in an activity; formal and often used for work or serious activities

B1Rarely

He engages in community projects in his free time.

🇬🇧English

to do something repeatedly to improve skill; differs from 'play' when the emphasis is on training or rehearsal

A2Often

I practice the piano every day.

What's the difference

Related words and lists for play

How to pronounce play and what this word means

play means play. This page includes translation, pronunciation, transcription, audio, usage examples and related words.

how to pronounce play

/ˈpleɪ/

play translation

play

play examples

On Saturdays we play board games at the community centre.

play transcription

/ˈpleɪ/, /tə ˈpleɪ/

Questions about this word

play meaning: what does it mean?

take part in a game

play pronunciation: how do you pronounce it?

play is pronounced as /ˈpleɪ/. Audio is available on this page when the word has a recording.

play definition and sentence examples: how is it used in a sentence?

On Saturdays we play board games at the community centre. Translation: По субботам мы играем в настольные игры в общественном центре.

Is play part of Pets vocabulary?

Yes, play can be learned in the Pets topic. This semantic link helps build related word lists and topic-based practice.

Is play part of Living Beings vocabulary?

Yes, play can be learned in the Living Beings topic. This semantic link helps build related word lists and topic-based practice.

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