playing

[pleɪɪŋ]

playing Definition

• 1. engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation
• 2. manipulate (a situation), typically in a way that is unfair or unscrupulous

Using playing: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "playing" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The children are playing in the park.

• Example

  I enjoy playing tennis on weekends.

• Example

  He was caught playing with his phone during class.

• Example

  She accused him of playing games with her emotions.

• Example

  The company was accused of playing dirty to gain an advantage over its competitors.

playing Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for playing

• gaming
• sporting
• recreating
• amusing oneself
• frolicking

Antonyms for playing

• working
• laboring
• toiling

Phrases with playing

• play around

  behave in a lighthearted or frivolous way, especially when this is inappropriate

  Example

  This is a serious meeting, so please don't play around.

• play by ear

  improvise as one goes along rather than following a predetermined plan

  Example

  We don't have a set schedule, so we'll just have to play it by ear.

• play hard to get

  pretend to be uninterested in someone romantically to make them more interested in pursuing a relationship

  Example

  She's not really uninterested, she's just playing hard to get.

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Summary: playing in Brief

The verb 'playing' [pleɪɪŋ] refers to engaging in activities for enjoyment and recreation, such as playing in the park or playing tennis. It can also mean manipulating a situation unfairly, as in 'The company was accused of playing dirty.' Phrases like 'play around' and 'play by ear' denote lighthearted behavior and improvisation, while 'play hard to get' describes pretending to be uninterested in someone romantically.