Phrase guide

plug and play

noun · verb · 4 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

A feature allowing new hardware added to a computer to be automatically detected and configured.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive, uncountable

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: PnP

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The use of a base formulation that can be modified with DNA or RNA from various different germs to create different vaccines.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The unmodified usage of pre-tuned project files.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Qualifier: singing voice synthesis fandom slang; slightly derogatory; singing voice synthesis fandom slang; slightly derogatory

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To connect a device or component to a system such that it operates immediately without requiring any additional setup, configuration or installation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Greek: εφαρμογή και χρήση (efarmogí kai chrísi) — feature that facilitates the discovery of a hardware component automatically