play with

phrasal-verb
UK: /pleɪ wɪð/
US: /pleɪ wɪθ/

  1. To amuse oneself by handling or using something.

    1. The cat likes to play with its toys. [ ] [ ]
    2. She likes to play with her new phone, exploring all its features. [ ] [ ]

  2. To treat something or someone without the seriousness they deserve.

    1. Don't play with fire, you might get burned. [ ] [ ]
    2. You shouldn't play with someone's feelings, it's not kind at all. [ ] [ ]

  3. To consider or think about an idea or plan, but not necessarily seriously.

    1. I might play with the idea of going abroad. [ ] [ ]
    2. The company is starting to play with some options for expansion next year. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

fiddle with handle toy with mess with fool around with manipulate
play with transitive-verb

  1. To have a sexual relationship with someone without intending it to be serious or long-lasting.

    1. He tends to play with girls and then leave them. [ ] [ ]
    2. She accused him of playing with her affections without any real commitment. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "play with" in English means: To amuse oneself by handling or using something., To treat something or someone without the seriousness they deserve., To consider or think about an idea or plan, but not necessarily seriously..

The phonetic transcription of "play with" is /pleɪ wɪð/ in British English and /pleɪ wɪθ/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "play with": fiddle with, handle, toy with, mess with, fool around with, manipulate.

Example usage of "play with": "The cat likes to play with its toys.". More examples on the page.