# playing

/ˈpɫeɪɪŋ/ (US) · /plˈeɪɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/playing
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. doing an activity now

verb · CEFR A1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. making music

verb · CEFR A1

the action of making music with an instrument.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. the activity of a game

noun · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. a performance

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- His piano playing improves every single day.
- The coach praised the team's disciplined playing during the final minutes of the championship match.
- 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.

---

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.