The difference between Game and Play

When used as nouns, game means a playful activity that may be unstructured, whereas play means activity for amusement only, especially among the young.

When used as verbs, game means to gamble, whereas play means to act in a manner such that one has fun.

Game is also adjective with the meaning: willing to participate.

check bellow for the other definitions of Game and Play

  1. Game as a noun (countable):

    A playful or competitive activity. A playful activity that may be unstructured; an amusement or pastime. An activity described by a set of rules, especially for the purpose of entertainment, often competitive or having an explicit goal. A particular instance of playing a game; match. That which is gained, such as the stake in a game. The number of points necessary to win a game. In some games, a point awarded to the player whose cards add up to the largest sum. The equipment that enables such activity, particularly as packaged under a title. One's manner, style, or performance in playing a game. An amorous dalliance.

    Examples:

    "Being a child is all fun and games."

    "'Games in the classroom can make learning fun."

    "Sally won the game."

    "They can turn the game around in the second half."

    "In short whist, five points are game."

    "Some of the games in the closet we have on the computer as well."

    "Study can help your game of chess."

    "Hit the gym if you want to toughen up your game."

  2. Game as a noun (countable):

    A video game.

  3. Game as a noun (countable, informal, nearly always singular):

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

    Examples:

    "When it comes to making sales, John is the best in the game."

    "He's in the securities game somehow."

  4. Game as a noun (countable, figuratively):

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

    Examples:

    "In the game of life, you may find yourself playing the waiting game far too often."

  5. Game as a noun (countable, military):

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

  6. Game as a noun (uncountable):

    Wild animals hunted for food.

    Examples:

    "The forest has plenty of game."

  7. Game as a noun (uncountable, informal, used mostly of males):

    The ability to seduce someone, usually by strategy.

    Examples:

    "He didn't get anywhere with her because he had no game."

  8. Game as a noun (uncountable, slang):

    Mastery; the ability to excel at something.

  9. Game as a noun (countable):

    A questionable or unethical practice in pursuit of a goal; a scheme.

    Examples:

    "You want to borrow my credit card for a week? What's your game?"

  1. Game as an adjective (colloquial):

    Willing to participate.

  2. Game as an adjective (of an animal):

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

  3. Game as an adjective:

    Persistent, especially in senses similar to the above.

  4. Game as an adjective:

    Injured, lame (of a limb).

  1. Game as a verb (intransitive):

    To gamble.

  2. Game as a verb (intransitive):

    To play video games.

  3. Game as a verb (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.

    Examples:

    "We'll bury them in paperwork, and game the system."

  4. Game as a verb (transitive, slang, of males):

    To perform premeditated seduction strategy.

  1. Play as a verb (intransitive):

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

    Examples:

    "They played long and hard."

  2. Play as a verb (transitive, intransitive):

    To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game). To compete against, in a game. (in the scoring of games and sports) To be the opposing score to.

    Examples:

    "He plays on three teams.  nowrap Who's playing now?  nowrap play football;  nowrap play sports;  nowrap play games"

    "We're playing one of the top teams in the next round."

    "Look at the score now ... 23 plays 8!"

  3. Play as a verb (intransitive):

    To take part in amorous activity; to make love, fornicate; to have sex.

  4. Play as a verb (transitive):

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

    Examples:

    "He plays the King, and she's the Queen.  nowrap No part of the brain plays the role of permanent memory."

  5. Play as a verb (transitive, intransitive):

    To produce music or theatre. To produce music. To produce music using a musical instrument. To produce music (or a specified song or musical style) using (a specified musical instrument). To use a device to watch or listen to the indicated recording. To be performed; to be shown. To perform in or at; to give performances in or at. To act or perform (a play).

    Examples:

    "I've practiced the piano off and on, but I still can't play very well."

    "I'll play the piano and you sing.  nowrap Can you play an instrument?  nowrap We especially like to play jazz together.  nowrap Play a song for me.  nowrap Do you know how to play Für Elise?  nowrap My son thinks he can play music."

    "You can play the DVD now."

    "His latest film is playing in the local theatre tomorrow."

    "to play a comedy"

  6. Play as a verb:

    To behave in a particular way. Contrary to fact, to give an appearance of being. To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless. To act; to behave; to practice deception. To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute.

    Examples:

    "to play tricks"

  7. Play as a verb (transitive, intransitive):

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

    Examples:

    "The fountain plays."

    "He played the torch beam around the room."

  8. Play as a verb (intransitive):

    To move gaily; to disport.

  9. Play as a verb (transitive):

    To put in action or motion.

    Examples:

    "to play cannon upon a fortification;  nowrap to play a trump in a card game"

  10. Play as a verb (transitive):

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

  11. Play as a verb (transitive, colloquial):

    To manipulate, deceive, or swindle someone.

    Examples:

    "You played me!"

  1. Play as a noun (uncountable, formerly, _, countable):

    Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.

    Examples:

    "Children learn through play."

  2. Play as a noun (uncountable):

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

    Examples:

    "This kind of play helps the young lion cubs develop their hunting skills."

  3. Play as a noun (uncountable, ethology):

    "Repeated, incompletely functional behavior differing from more serious versions ..., and initiated voluntarily when ... in a low-stress setting."

  4. Play as a noun (uncountable):

    The conduct, or course, of a game.

    Examples:

    "Play was very slow in the first half."

    "After the rain break, play resumed at 3 o'clock."

  5. Play as a noun (uncountable):

    An individual's performance in a sport or game.

    Examples:

    "His play has improved a lot this season."

  6. Play as a noun (countable):

    A short sequence of action within a game.

    Examples:

    "That was a great play by the Mudchester Rovers forward."

  7. Play as a noun (countable, turn-based games):

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

    Examples:

    "synonyms: move"

  8. Play as a noun (countable):

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

    Examples:

    "This book contains all of Shakespeare's plays."

  9. Play as a noun (countable):

    A theatrical performance featuring actors.

    Examples:

    "We saw a two-act play in the theatre."

  10. Play as a noun (countable):

    A major move by a business or investor.

    Examples:

    "ABC Widgets makes a play in the bicycle market with its bid to take over Acme Sprockets."

  11. Play as a noun (countable):

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

  12. Play as a noun (uncountable):

    The extent to which a part of a mechanism can move freely.

    Examples:

    "No wonder the fanbelt is slipping: there’s too much play in it."

    "Too much play in a steering wheel may be dangerous."

  13. Play as a noun (uncountable, informal):

    Sexual activity or sexual role-playing.

  14. Play as a noun (countable):

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

  15. Play as a noun (archaic, now usually in compounds):

    Activity relating to martial combat or fighting.

    Examples:

    "m handplay, m swordplay"

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