Play vs. Game — What's the Difference?

To occupy oneself in an activity for amusement or recreation

(Mathematics) A model of a competitive situation that identifies interested parties and stipulates rules governing all aspects of the competition, used in game theory to determine the optimal course of action for an interested party.

To take part in a sport or game

A game is a structured form of play, usually undertaken for entertainment or fun, and sometimes used as an educational tool. Games are distinct from work, which is usually carried out for remuneration, and from art, which is more often an expression of aesthetic or ideological elements.

To participate in betting; gamble.

An activity providing entertainment or amusement; a pastime

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

A single instance of such an activity

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

A competitive activity or sport in which players contend with each other according to a set of rules

To act or conduct oneself in a specified way

Games An organized athletic program or contest

To act, especially in a dramatic production.

A period of competition or challenge

To perform on an instrument

The total number of points required to win a game

To emit sound or be sounded in performance

The score accumulated at any given time in a game

To be performed, as in a theater or on television

The equipment needed for playing certain games

To be received or accepted

A particular style or manner of playing a game

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

An active interest or pursuit, especially one involving competitive engagement or adherence to rules

To function or discharge uninterruptedly

A business or occupation; a line

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

An illegal activity; a racket.

To engage in (a game or sport)

Evasive, trifling, or manipulative behavior

To compete against in a game or sport

A calculated strategy or approach; a scheme

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

Wild animals hunted for food or sport.

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

The flesh of these animals, eaten as food.

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

An object of attack, ridicule, or pursuit

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

Mockery; sport

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

To manipulate dishonestly for personal gain; rig

To attempt to keep or gain possession or control of

To play for stakes; gamble.

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

To play a role-playing or computer game.

To assume the role of; act as

Plucky and unyielding in spirit; resolute

To pretend to be; mimic the activities of

Ready and willing

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

Crippled; lame

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

A playful or competitive activity.

To bet; wager

A playful activity that may be unstructured; an amusement or pastime.

To make bets on

(countable) An activity described by a set of rules, especially for the purpose of entertainment, often competitive or having an explicit goal.

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

A school subject during which sports are practised.

To handle; manage

(countable) A particular instance of playing a game.

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

That which is gained, such as the stake in a game.

To perform on (an instrument)

The number of points necessary to win a game.

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

(card games) In some games, a point awarded to the player whose cards add up to the largest sum.

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

(countable) The equipment that enables such activity, particularly as packaged under a title.

To discharge or direct in a certain direction

One's manner, style, or performance in playing a game.

To cause to move rapidly, lightly, or irregularly

Senseid|en|video game}} (countable) {{ellipsis of video game

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

Lovemaking, flirtation.

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

(slang) Prostitution. (Now chiefly in on the game.)

The performance of such a work.

A field of gainful activity, as an industry or profession.

Activity engaged in for enjoyment or recreation.

Something that resembles a game with rules, despite not being designed.

Fun or jesting

An exercise simulating warfare, whether computerized or involving human participants.

The act or manner of engaging in a game or sport

(uncountable) wild animals hunted for food.

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

The ability to seduce someone, usually by strategy.

A move or an action in a game

Mastery; the ability to excel at something.

Participation in betting; gambling.

(countable) A questionable or unethical practice in pursuit of a goal.

Manner of dealing with others; conduct

(colloquial) Willing and able to participate.

An attempt to obtain something; a bid

(of an animal) That shows a tendency to continue to fight against another animal, despite being wounded, often severely.

Action, motion, or use

Persistent, especially in senses similar to the above.

Freedom or occasion for action; scope

Injured, lame (of a limb).

Movement or space for movement, as of mechanical parts.

(intransitive) To gamble.

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

(intransitive) To play card games, board games, or video games.

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

(transitive) To exploit loopholes in a system or bureaucracy in a way which defeats or nullifies the spirit of the rules in effect, usually to obtain a result which otherwise would be unobtainable.

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

To perform premeditated seduction strategy.

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

Crooked; lame; as, a game leg.

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

Having a resolute, unyielding spirit, like the gamecock; ready to fight to the last; plucky.

(transitive) To compete against, in a game.

Of or pertaining to such animals as are hunted for game, or to the act or practice of hunting.

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

Sport of any kind; jest, frolic.

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

A contest, physical or mental, according to certain rules, for amusement, recreation, or for winning a stake; as, a game of chance; games of skill; field games, etc.

To gamble.

The use or practice of such a game; a single match at play; a single contest; as, a game at cards.

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

That which is gained, as the stake in a game; also, the number of points necessary to be scored in order to win a game; as, in short whist five points are game.

To produce music or theatre.

In some games, a point credited on the score to the player whose cards counts up the highest.

To produce music.

A scheme or art employed in the pursuit of an object or purpose; method of procedure; projected line of operations; plan; project.

To produce music using a musical instrument.

Animals pursued and taken by sportsmen; wild meats designed for, or served at, table.

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

To rejoice; to be pleased; - often used, in Old English, impersonally with dative.

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

To play at any sport or diversion.

To be performed; to be shown.

To play for a stake or prize; to use cards, dice, billiards, or other instruments, according to certain rules, with a view to win money or some other thing waged upon the issue of the contest; to gamble.

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

A single play of a game;

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

A contest with rules to determine a winner;

(multiple senses) To behave in a particular way.

An amusement or pastime;

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

Animal hunted for food or sport

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

The game equipment needed to play a game;

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

Your occupation or line of work;

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

(games) the score at a particular point or the score needed to win;

To kid; to joke; say something for amusement.

The flesh of wild animals that is used for food

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

A secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal);

(intransitive) To move to and fro.

Frivolous or trifling behavior;

(transitive) To put in action or motion.

Place a bet on;

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

Disabled in the feet or legs;

To manipulate, deceive, or swindle someone.

Willing to face danger

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;