Play: meaning, definitions and examples

Use a musical instrument or perform in a theater production. It can also mean a single session or instance of playing something.

• She can play the piano beautifully.
• He is in the play that opens next week.

Use when participating in games or activities that involve risking money or valuables. This term has a negative connotation because it implies the risk of loss.

• He likes to gamble at the casino.
• Don't gamble with your future by making poor choices.

Use when referring to physical activities that involve competition, skill, and often teamwork. Commonly associated with organized events and tournaments.

• Soccer is my favorite sport.
• She excels in several sports.

Use when describing engaging in leisure activities to relax or refresh oneself. Often used more formally or in written contexts.

• The park is a great place to recreate after a long week.
• They recreate by hiking in the mountains.

A play refers to a scripted theater production, typically a serious or comedic story acted out on a stage.

• We went to see a Shakespearean play at the local theater.
• The play received standing ovations for its impressive acting.

Drama often denotes a genre of play that focuses on serious, emotional, and sometimes conflict-driven stories. This term is also used to describe TV shows and films.

• The school decided to put on a classic drama for its annual theater production.
• She prefers watching dramas over action movies.

Performance is a broad term that can refer to any type of artistic presentation, including plays, concerts, and dance shows.

• Her violin performance was stunning and moved the audience to tears.
• We attended a live performance of 'The Nutcracker' ballet.

Show is a versatile term that refers to any kind of entertainment presentation, whether it be a TV show, theater production, concert, or exhibition.

• We enjoyed the magic show at the fair.
• The new comedy show on TV has high ratings.

Can also mean to engage in a recreational activity or sport. This usage is more common in everyday conversation.

• The children went outside to play.
• He likes to play soccer on weekends.

Typically refers to a piece of music that has been created or arranged, or any artistic creation, such as a written essay or artwork.

• Beethoven's compositions are admired worldwide.
• Her latest composition was a beautiful piano piece.

A general term used to describe a single work of music or any other form of art. It is less formal and can apply to various art forms.

• She played a beautiful piano piece at the recital.
• The artist created a new piece for the gallery.

Refers to a work of music or a set of works usually numbered to indicate the order of the composer's output. Often used formally or in classical music contexts.

• The composer's final opus was completed just before his death.
• Mozart’s Opus 40 is one of his most famous works.