Phrase guide

play of words

noun · 2 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.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The ordering of words in a text, speech, etc., taking regard for both the individual words (their meanings, sounds, etc.) and the interplay between them.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: rhetoric

Topics: human-sciences, linguistics, narratology, sciences

Examples

  • 1683, William Atwood, Three Letters to Dr. Sherlock Concerning Church-communion, Jonathan Robinson, page 16, Great is Diana of the Ephesians, and great is the use of the word Church, when good Crafts-masters have the handling of it; and of all Men those of Rome have succeeded best at this play of words.
  • 1988, Span, Issue 26, University of Queensland, page 104, At the outset the reader is fascinated by the complex surface play of words. In the poem 'Paraphrase' the play of words is likened to the play of imagery on the surface of a lake; words 'beckon' and 'whisper', luring the reader towards an undisclosed meaning or goal.
  • 2000, Stephanie Quinn, Why Vergil?, Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, page 3, In addition, the selections are organized to make a case for the value of the play of words and for their power, about ideas and history, and art.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Alternative form of play on words.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative

Examples

  • 1695, "P. H." (translator), "Pierre Boher", The Art of Knowing Ones Self: Or, a Diligent Search After the Springs of Morality, Part II, Richard Bentley, page 47, For to shew that all this is but a Play of Words, it must be supposed, that there are two sorts of Love which one may have of God, a Love of Interest, and a Love of pure Amity, as the Theologians call it.
  • 1964, Explorations, Volumes 1-13, Explorations Publishing Company, page 29, "Plays of words" in our culture are usually clever, abstract constructs, whereas in these stories the multiple meanings of a term or the similarity of terms refer to experienced, meaningful realities.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.