easy
We play tag after school.
What does Play mean?
to have fun with a game, toy, sport, or activity.
Dictionary definition
To do an activity or game for fun.
Example sentences
Play in a sentence
medium
The band will play a cheerful song.
hard
A fair game is more fun when everyone gets a chance to play.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice play in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Play
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does play mean?
Play means to have fun with a game, toy, sport, or activity.
Practice 2
Which sentence uses play correctly?
The correct sentence uses play in a way that matches its meaning.
Practice 3
Which word is closest in meaning to play?
Game is close in meaning to play.
Practice complete
Nice work!
You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Play
Voice settings
Sounds like
PLAY
Listen, then repeat the word.
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
PLAY
Learn
WordPlay.
Partverb, noun.
MeaningPlay means to have fun with a game, toy, sport, or activity.
ExampleExample: We play tag after school.
Your turn
Say Play
Record a short attempt, then compare it with the Coach. Your recording stays on this device and is not uploaded.
Coach
My attempt
Ready when you are.
Nice work—you practiced play.
Synonyms
Words like Play
Antonyms
Opposite words
Synonym practice
Want to practice play synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The play ended with a song," then compare close word choices. Practice play synonyms.
Word family
Play word family
Base word
play
verb
plays
Plays now or often.
verb
played
Played in the past.
verb
playing
Having fun in an activity now.
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Play
Hint for students
to have fun with a game, toy, sport, or activity.
Common mix-up
Play is not the same as work. Play means to have fun with a game, toy, sport, or activity.
Try it in class or at home
Read this model sentence: The band will play a cheerful song. Clue words: band, will, cheerful. Underline clue words that show why play fits instead of work. Now write one new sentence that shows play without using the word play. Ask: Does my sentence clearly show play?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "The band will play a cheerful song." Why does play fit better than work?
Learning activities
Practice Play and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice PLAY” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice PLAY
Sentence Builder
Write your own sentence with this word and revise with checklist feedback.
Write a sentence with PLAY
Explore · Spelling
Spell Hive
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Practice spelling
Explore · Definitions
Define the Word Hive
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Practice definitions
Explore · Matching
Vocabulary Match
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Match meanings
Explore · Context
Context Clue Challenge
Use sentence clues to choose the word that fits the meaning.
Use context clues
Explore · Scramble
Scrambled Bees
Rebuild words from mixed-up letters for spelling practice.
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