Act vs. Play — What's the Difference?

The process of doing or performing something

To occupy oneself in an activity for amusement or recreation

Something done or performed; a deed

To take part in a sport or game

(Law) Something done that has legal significance

To participate in betting; gamble.

A statute or other law formally adopted by a legislative body

To behave in a teasing or joking manner; act in jest or sport

A formal written record of proceedings or transactions.

To deal or behave carelessly or indifferently, especially for one's own amusement; toy

One of the major divisions of a play, opera, or film.

To act or conduct oneself in a specified way

A performance or entertainment usually forming part of a longer presentation

To act, especially in a dramatic production.

The actor or actors presenting such a performance

To perform on an instrument

A manifestation of intentional or unintentional insincerity; a pose

To emit sound or be sounded in performance

To play the part of; assume the dramatic role of

To be performed, as in a theater or on television

To perform (a role) on the stage

To be received or accepted

To behave like or pose as; impersonate

To move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly

To behave in a manner suitable for

To function or discharge uninterruptedly

To behave or comport oneself

To move or operate freely within a bounded space, as machine parts do.

To perform in a dramatic role or roles.

To engage in (a game or sport)

To be suitable for theatrical performance

To compete against in a game or sport

To behave affectedly or unnaturally; pretend.

To compete in a game or sport at (a location)

To appear or seem to be

To occupy or work at (a position) in a game

To carry out an action

To put (a player) at a position in a sport or in a game

To operate or function in a specific way

To use or move (a card or piece) in a game

To serve or function as a substitute for another

To hit (a ball, shot, or stroke), as in tennis

To produce an effect

To attempt to keep or gain possession or control of

(countable) Something done, a deed.

To perform or act (a role or part) in a dramatic performance.

Actuality.

To assume the role of; act as

(theology) Something done once and for all, as distinguished from a work.

To pretend to be; mimic the activities of

A product of a legislative body, a statute.

To perform (a theatrical work or part of a work)

The process of doing something.

To present a theatrical performance or other entertainment in (a given place)

(countable) A formal or official record of something done.

To bet; wager

A division of a theatrical performance.

To make bets on

(countable) A performer or performers in a show.

To perform or put into effect, especially as a jest or deception

(countable) Any organized activity.

To handle; manage

(countable) A display of behaviour.

To use or manipulate, especially for one's own interests

A thesis maintained in public, in some English universities, by a candidate for a degree, or to show the proficiency of a student.

To perform on (an instrument)

(countable) A display of behaviour meant to deceive.

To perform (a piece) on instruments or an instrument.

Senseid|en|act of parliament}} (law) {{ellipsis of act of parliament

To cause (a movie, audiotape, or other recording) to be presented in audible or visible form.

(intransitive) To do something.

To discharge or direct in a certain direction

To do (something); to perform.

To cause to move rapidly, lightly, or irregularly

(intransitive) To perform a theatrical role.

To exhaust (a hooked fish) by allowing it to pull on the line.

(intransitive) Of a play: to be acted out (well or badly).

A literary work written for performance on the stage; a drama.

(intransitive) To behave in a certain manner for an indefinite length of time.

The performance of such a work.

(copulative) To convey an appearance of being.

Activity engaged in for enjoyment or recreation.

(intransitive) To do something that causes a change binding on the doer.

Fun or jesting

To have an effect (on).

The act or manner of engaging in a game or sport

(transitive) To play (a role).

The act or manner of using a card, piece, or ball in a game or sport

(transitive) To feign.

A move or an action in a game

To map via a homomorphism to a group of automorphisms (of).

Participation in betting; gambling.

To move to action; to actuate; to animate.

Manner of dealing with others; conduct

To enact; to decree.

An attempt to obtain something; a bid

That which is done or doing; the exercise of power, or the effect, of which power exerted is the cause; a performance; a deed.

Action, motion, or use

A state of reality or real existence as opposed to a possibility or possible existence.

Freedom or occasion for action; scope

Process of doing; action. In act, in the very doing; on the point of (doing).

Movement or space for movement, as of mechanical parts.

To move to action; to actuate; to animate.

Quick, often irregular movement or action, especially of light or color

To perform; to execute; to do.

A control mechanism on an audio or video player that starts or resumes the audible or visual presentation of a recording.

To perform, as an actor; to represent dramatically on the stage.

A geological deposit, as of oil or natural gas, considered as a prospect for commercial extraction.

To assume the office or character of; to play; to personate; as, to act the hero.

(intransitive) To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.

To feign or counterfeit; to simulate.

To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game).

To exert power; to produce an effect; as, the stomach acts upon food.

(transitive) To compete against, in a game.

To perform actions; to fulfill functions; to put forth energy; to move, as opposed to remaining at rest; to carry into effect a determination of the will.

(transitive) (in the scoring of games and sports) To be the opposing score to.

To behave or conduct, as in morals, private duties, or public offices; to bear or deport one's self; as, we know not why he has acted so.

(intransitive) To take part in amorous activity; to make love.

To perform on the stage; to represent a character.

To gamble.

A legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body

(transitive) To act as the indicated role, especially in a performance.

Something that people do or cause to happen

To produce music or theatre.

A subdivision of a play or opera or ballet

To produce music.

A short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program;

To produce music using a musical instrument.

A manifestation of insincerity;

To produce music (or a specified song or musical style) using (a specified musical instrument).

Perform an action, or work out or perform (an action);

To use a device to watch or listen to the indicated recording.

Behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself;

To be performed; to be shown.

Play a role or part;

To perform in or at; to give performances in or at.

Discharge one's duties;

(transitive) To act or perform (a play).

Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind;

(multiple senses) To behave in a particular way.

Be suitable for theatrical performance;

(copulative) Contrary to fact, to give an appearance of being.

Have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected;

(intransitive) To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless.

Be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure

(intransitive) To act; to behave; to practice deception.

Behave unnaturally or affectedly;

(transitive) To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute.

Perform on a stage or theater;

To kid; to joke; say something for amusement.

To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate.

(intransitive) To move to and fro.

(transitive) To put in action or motion.

(transitive) To keep in play, as a hooked fish in order to land it.

To manipulate, deceive, or swindle someone.

Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.

(uncountable) Similar activity in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills.

(uncountable) The conduct, or course, of a game.

(uncountable) An individual's performance in a sport or game.

(countable) A short sequence of action within a game.

An action carried out when it is one's turn to play.

(countable) A literary composition, intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue.

(countable) A theatrical performance featuring actors.

(countable) An attempt to move forward, as in a plan or strategy, for example by a business, investor, or political party.

(countable) A geological formation that contains an accumulation or prospect of hydrocarbons or other resources.

(uncountable) Movement (of a pattern of light etc.)

(uncountable) The extent to which a part of a mechanism can move freely, as for example lash, backlash, or slack.

Sexual activity or sexual role-playing.

(countable) An instance of watching or listening to digital media.

(countable) A button that, when pressed, causes media to be played.

Activity relating to martial combat or fighting.

To engage in sport or lively recreation; to exercise for the sake of amusement; to frolic; to spot.

To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless.

To contend, or take part, in a game; as, to play ball; hence, to gamble; as, he played for heavy stakes.

To perform on an instrument of music; as, to play on a flute.

To act; to behave; to practice deception.

To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate; to act; as, the fountain plays.

To move gayly; to wanton; to disport.

To act on the stage; to personate a character.

To put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump.

To perform music upon; as, to play the flute or the organ.

To perform, as a piece of music, on an instrument; as, to play a waltz on the violin.

To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute; as, to play tricks.

To act or perform (a play); to represent in music action; as, to play a comedy; also, to act in the character of; to represent by acting; to simulate; to behave like; as, to play King Lear; to play the woman.

To engage in, or go together with, as a contest for amusement or for a wager or prize; as, to play a game at baseball.

To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.

Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols.

Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement or diversion; a game.

The act or practice of contending for victory, amusement, or a prize, as at dice, cards, or billiards; gaming; as, to lose a fortune in play.

Action; use; employment; exercise; practice; as, fair play; sword play; a play of wit.

A dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy; a composition in which characters are represented by dialogue and action.

The representation or exhibition of a comedy or tragedy; as, he attends ever play.

Performance on an instrument of music.

Motion; movement, regular or irregular; as, the play of a wheel or piston; hence, also, room for motion; free and easy action.

Hence, liberty of acting; room for enlargement or display; scope; as, to give full play to mirth.

A dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage;

A theatrical performance of a drama;

A preset plan of action in team sports;

A deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill;

A state in which action is feasible;

Utilization or exercise;

An attempt to get something;

Play by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules;

(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds;

The removal of constraints;

A weak and tremulous light;

Verbal wit (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously);

Movement or space for movement;

Gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement;

The act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize);

The activity of doing something in an agreed succession;

The act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

Participate in games or sport;

Act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome;

Play on an instrument;

Play a role or part;

Be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children;

Replay (as a melody);

Perform music on (a musical instrument);

Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind;

Move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly;

Bet or wager (money);

Engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion;

Pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity;

Emit recorded sound;

Perform on a certain location;

Put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game;

Engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously;

Behave in a certain way;

Cause to emit recorded sounds;

Manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination;

Use to one's advantage;

Consider not very seriously;

Be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way;

Behave carelessly or indifferently;

Cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space;

Perform on a stage or theater;

Be performed;

Cause to happen or to occur as a consequence;

Discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream;

Make bets;

Stake on the outcome of an issue;

Shoot or hit in a particular manner;

Use or move;

Employ in a game or in a specific position;

Contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle;

Exhaust by allowing to pull on the line;