World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesPlay
/pleɪ/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
To engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.
"The children love to play outside in the garden." - 2
To take part in a sport or game.
"They gather every weekend to play football."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from Old English plegan or plegian, meaning 'to exercise, frolic, play, or make merry', originating from West Germanic roots. Over centuries, the semantic range expanded from physical activity and games to theatrical performance and musical execution.
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10 Global Lexicons: How "Play" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
jouer
Transliteration: zhwe
"Les enfants aiment jouer au football."
spielen
Transliteration: shpi-len
"Die Kinder spielen gerne im Garten."
giocare
Transliteration: jo-ka-re
"A loro piace giocare a calcio."
jugar
Transliteration: hu-gar
"Me gusta jugar al tenis los fines de semana."
jogar
Transliteration: zho-gar
"Eles gostam de jogar futebol na praia."
खेलना
Transliteration: khelna
"बच्चe मैदान में खेल रहे हैं।"
玩
Transliteration: wán
"孩子们在公园里玩。"
놀다
Transliteration: nolda
"아이들이 공원에서 놀고 있어요."
遊ぶ
Transliteration: asobu
"子供たちは公園で遊んでいます。"
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