English Reference

Word

playing

Phoneticsplay·ing

US/ˈpɫeɪɪŋ/

UK/plˈeɪɪŋ/

Definitions

01doing an activity now

A1 · Sport

v. the action of taking part in a game or sport right now.

v. the present participle of 'play', used in continuous tenses to describe current engagement in a game or recreational activity.

“The children are playing in the garden while their parents cook dinner.”

“The local team is currently playing their final match of the season, hoping to secure a place in the regional playoffs.”

Antonyms

02making music

A1 · Music

v. the action of making music with an instrument.

v. the present participle of 'play', used to describe the ongoing act of performing music or operating a musical instrument.

“I can hear someone playing the piano in the room upstairs.”

“The orchestra was playing a complex symphony when the power suddenly failed, leaving the concert hall in total darkness.”

03the activity of a game

A2

n. the act or hobby of taking part in games or sports.

n. the gerund form of 'play', used as a noun to refer to the activity or style of participation in a game.

“Playing football is a great way to stay healthy and meet new friends.”

“Professional playing requires a level of dedication and physical conditioning that few amateur athletes can maintain over a long career.”

Synonyms

04a performance

B2 · Music

n. an occasion when a song, film, or show is broadcast or performed.

n. the act of broadcasting or performing a specific piece of media or art.

“The radio station gave the new song its first playing this morning.”

“After several playings of the security footage, the investigators finally noticed the subtle movement near the warehouse entrance.”

Etymology

From Middle English playing; equivalent to play + -ing.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Collocations

playing fieldplaying footballplaying careerplaying a roleplaying an importantplaying gamesplaying musicplaying time

Word family

playVerbplayerNounplayingVerb

This entry

Level
A1 · Beginner
Frequency
Very common
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/playing

English Reference