verb
Meaning 1
To play (a game etc.) to its conclusion.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Phrase guide
play out
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.
verb
Meaning 2
To play music to accompany the end of, or as a final segment in (a programme, broadcast etc.).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
- And now, to play us out, please welcome Tom Waits.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 3
To occur or develop in a certain manner.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
- Let's keep our heads down for a little while and see how things play out.
- My date played out a little differently than I imagined.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 4
To feed (rope, cord, etc.) so as to allow more length or slackness.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Qualifier: perhaps influenced by or confused with 'pay out'
Examples
- I sat at the top of the cliff and played out the rope as she descended.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 5
To compete in a play-out; to compete against (an opponent) in a play-out.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Europe, intransitive, transitive
Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, sports
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 6
become spent or exhausted
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- The champion's strength played out fast
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: change
verb
Meaning 7
play to a finish
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- We have got to play this game out, even thought it is clear that we have last
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: play
verb
Meaning 8
perform or be performed to the end
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- How will the election drama be played out?
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: perform
verb
Meaning 9
deplete
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- exhaust one's savings
- We quickly played out our strength
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: run down, exhaust, sap, tire
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: consume, eat up, use up, eat, deplete, exhaust, run through, wipe out
History
Etymology
No etymology was provided for this word.
Across languages
Translations
2 source translations are retained for this English entry.
- Italian: svolgere — intransitive: to occur or develop in a certain manner
- Spanish: discurrir — intransitive: to occur or develop in a certain manner