ENGLISH
REFERENCE

playing

n. uncountable
A1 Beginner US //ˈpɫeɪɪŋ// UK //plˈeɪɪŋ// play·ing

n. the act of taking part in a game, sport, or musical performance. You use this to describe the way someone performs or spends their free time.

n. the action of participating in a game, sport, or musical performance; the specific manner in which a musical instrument is handled.


SIMPLE

His piano playing improves every single day.

CONTEXTUAL

The coach praised the team's disciplined playing during the final minutes of the championship match.

COMPLEX

Critics noted that while the technical aspects of her violin playing were flawless, the emotional depth of the performance felt somewhat restrained during the second movement.

Synonyms
Origin

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

Usage

Typically functions as a gerund-noun; often modified by an adjective to describe the quality of a performance.

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