Phrase guide

play along

verb · 9 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To take part in a charade, deception, or practical joke.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • James thought it was cruel for the fraternity members to make the pledge think his father had died suddenly and refused to play along.
  • James played along with their cruel trick.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To participate in a joke or trick while hiding one's knowledge of its true nature.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • I knew that my blind date was an April Fools trick, but I played along anyway.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To play a musical instrument in synchrony with a playback of a recording.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • I like to practise guitar by playing along with records.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To cooperate or go along with a plan.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, idiomatic

Examples

  • I have doubts about your plan, but I'll play along for now.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To pretend to cooperate or go along with a plan.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, idiomatic

Examples

  • I haven't told him yet, I'm still playing along with his scheme.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

To manipulate (someone).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, idiomatic

Examples

  • The con man plays his victims along until he senses the moment to ask for money.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see play, along.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The children spent the day playing along the river.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

verb

Meaning 8

perform an accompaniment to

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The orchestra could barely follow the frequent pitch changes of the soprano

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: accompany, follow

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: play

9

verb

Meaning 9

cooperate or pretend to cooperate

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He decided to play along with the burglars for the moment

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: go along

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: collaborate, join forces, cooperate, get together

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: mitspielen — hide one's knowledge of a joke
  • Italian: stare al gioco — hide one's knowledge of a joke
  • Polish: udawać głupiego — hide one's knowledge of a joke
  • Russian: подыгрывать (podygryvatʹ) — hide one's knowledge of a joke
  • Spanish: seguir la corriente — hide one's knowledge of a joke
  • Swedish: spela med — hide one's knowledge of a joke
  • Swedish: spela spelet — hide one's knowledge of a joke