Phrase guide

play on

verb · 8 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 exploit (a potential weakness or vulnerability) by exacerbating.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: also 'play upon'

Examples

  • to play on someone's fears

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To exploit (a double meaning, similarity in sound, etc.) for humorous or creative effect.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: also 'play upon'

Examples

  • This joke plays on the fact that 'thirsty' sounds similar to 'Thursday'.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To impinge upon in a recurring or nagging way.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: also 'play upon'

Examples

  • to play on one's mind, or conscience

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To frequently allude to or return to as a theme.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: also 'play upon'

Examples

  • The pamphlet plays on the idea that all social conflict is class-based.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

to hit the ball into his own wicket, thus being out bowled

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: ball-games, cricket, games, hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

To let the game continue after a foul has been committed, because the situation is advantageous to the team who would be awarded a foul.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

To cause (an opposing player) to be onside rather than offside due to one's position on the field of play.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Qualifier: sports such as soccer

Examples

  • The ref said that Smith was offside, but I think that Jones played him on.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

verb

Meaning 8

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

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I knew I was losing, but I played on anyways.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.