# player

/ˈpɫeɪɝ/ (US) · /plˈeɪɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/player
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. sports/games

noun · CEFR A1

a person who takes part in a sport or a game.

For teachers: a participant in a sport, game, or athletic competition.

- The tennis player shook hands with her opponent after the final match.
- The coach decided to substitute the star player in the second half to prevent further injury before the championship game.

### 2. music

noun · CEFR A2

someone who plays a musical instrument.

For teachers: a musician who performs on a specific instrument.

- She is a talented piano player who performs at the local jazz club.
- The orchestra is looking for a skilled horn player to fill the vacancy left by the retiring principal soloist.

### 3. acting

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

an actor in a play or movie.

For teachers: a performer in a theatrical production or film; often used in historical or formal contexts.

- The players took a bow as the curtain fell on the final act.
- Shakespeare famously wrote that all the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.

### 4. media device

noun · CEFR A2

a machine or software used to play music, videos, or films.

For teachers: an electronic device or software application designed to reproduce recorded audio or video media.

- I need to buy a new DVD player because the old one stopped working.
- The latest software update for the media player includes support for high-definition audio formats and improved subtitle rendering.

### 5. influential person

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

a person or company that has a lot of power or influence in a particular area.

For teachers: an individual or entity that exercises significant influence or power within a specific sphere of activity.

- Our company is becoming a major player in the renewable energy market.
- Diplomatic analysts suggest that the small nation has emerged as a key player in regional security negotiations.

### 6. romance/dating

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

someone who has many romantic relationships at the same time and is not serious about them.

For teachers: a person who habitually pursues multiple romantic or sexual partners without seeking a committed relationship.

- He has a reputation for being a player, so she decided not to date him.
- The protagonist of the novel is a self-confessed player who eventually learns the value of emotional vulnerability and commitment.

## Examples

- The best player on the team scored a goal.
- Each player must wait for their turn before moving a piece on the board.
- The lead player in the orchestra delivered a moving solo that captivated the audience throughout the entire second movement.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.