playing
Actively in game
Playing is engaging in activity for enjoyment rather than necessity—games, sports, make-believe.
Children play; adults play too, though often more self-consciously.
Playing extends to performing: playing a role, playing piano, playing a recording.
To be playing with fire is to court danger.
I'm just playing means it wasn't serious.
What are you playing at? questions someone's motives.
Objects for amusement
- pretendAct as though
- make-believeImaginative play or fantasy
- gamesOrganized competitive activities
- playgroundChildren's outdoor recreation space
hide-and-seek · tag · dress-up · dolls · blocks · imagination · playdate · recess
Amusement or pleasure
- leisureFree time for relaxation
- amusementPleased entertainment state
- enjoymentState of relishing something
- entertainmentAgreeable diversion of attention
relaxation · pastime · frolic · lighthearted · carefree · romping · frolicking · cavorting
Organized play or sport
- matchGame between opponents
- fieldArea of specialty
- courtTrial venue or sports surface
- ballSpherical plaything or gala
team · opponent · score · offense · defense · position · passing · dribbling
Device for specific tasks
- melodyPleasing sequence of notes
- notesBrief written records
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- pianoKeyed percussion instrument
guitar · strings · keys · ensemble · duet · solo · accompaniment · scales
Position or part
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- partPiece of whole
- sceneDramatic unit or locale
- pretendingSimulating what isn't real
portraying · impersonation · Shakespeare · Hamlet · understudy · casting · audition · stage
Interactive electronic entertainment
- controllerDevice directing a system
- consoleComfort in distress
- avatarDigital user representation
- levelHorizontal or uniform position
multiplayer · online · virtual · RPG · quest · respawn · co-op · gaming
toys
Objects for amusement
- pretendAct as though
- make-believeImaginative play or fantasy
- gamesOrganized competitive activities
playground · hide-and-seek · tag · dress-up · dolls · blocks · imagination · playdate · recess · sandbox
fun
Amusement or pleasure
- leisureFree time for relaxation
- amusementPleased entertainment state
- enjoymentState of relishing something
entertainment · relaxation · pastime · frolic · lighthearted · carefree · romping · frolicking · cavorting · merrymaking
game
Organized play or sport
ball · team · opponent · score · offense · defense · position · passing · dribbling · kicking
instrument
Device for specific tasks
piano · guitar · strings · keys · ensemble · duet · solo · accompaniment · scales · fingering
role
Position or part
pretending · portraying · impersonation · Shakespeare · Hamlet · understudy · casting · audition · stage · repertoire
video-game
Interactive electronic entertainment
- controllerDevice directing a system
- consoleComfort in distress
- avatarDigital user representation
level · multiplayer · online · virtual · RPG · quest · respawn · co-op · gaming · joystick
cards
Stiff paper rectangles
betting · chips · stakes · dealer · bluffing · wager · slot-machine · casino · odds · ante
recording
Captured audio or video
playlist · album · streaming · playback · shuffle · repeat · pause · resume · queuing · looping
- activitiesbowling, climbing, exercise, eating, baking
- funamusement, entertainment, excitement, joy, merriment
- gerundswalking, running, talking, eating, sleeping
- kids playplaytime, board games, blocks, card games, make-believe
- leisure activitiesrelax, watching, unwind, walking, chill
- interactionstalking, sharing, greeting, helping, listening
playingresting
In a state of stillness
sitting idle · doing nothing · stopping · pausing · lounging
playingsitting out
Declining to participate
nonplaying · avoiding · abstaining · benched · spectating
- playing cardsNumbered suited game pieces
- playing with fireEngaging in reckless behavior
- playing gamesEngaging in recreational activities
- playing aroundEngaging in idle amusement
- playing alongFeigning participation or agreement
- playing fieldGround for sports
playing card, replaying, playing cards, playing field, playing fields