Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [pley uhp]
- /pleɪ ʌp/
- /pleɪ ʌp/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [pley uhp]
- /pleɪ ʌp/
Definitions of play up words
- noun play up a dramatic composition or piece; drama. 1
- noun play up a dramatic performance, as on the stage. 1
- noun play up exercise or activity for amusement or recreation. 1
- noun play up fun or jest, as opposed to seriousness: I said it merely in play. 1
- noun play up a pun. 1
- noun play up the playing, action, or conduct of a game: The pitcher was replaced in the fourth inning of play. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of play up
First appearance:
before 900 One of the 4% oldest English words
before 900; (noun) Middle English pleye, Old English plega; (v.) Middle English pleyen, Old English pleg(i)an (cognate with Middle Dutch pleien to leap for joy, dance, rejoice, be glad)
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Play up
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
play up popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 100% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
play up usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for play up
verb play up
- bracketed — a support, as of metal or wood, projecting from a wall or the like to hold or bear the weight of a shelf, part of a cornice, etc.
- bracketing — a set of brackets
- dramatize — to put into a form suitable for acting on a stage.
- feature — a prominent or conspicuous part or characteristic: Tall buildings were a new feature on the skyline.
Antonyms for play up
verb play up
- be-little — to regard or portray as less impressive or important than appearances indicate; depreciate; disparage.
- deemphasize — to place less emphasis upon; reduce in importance, size, scope, etc.: The university de-emphasized intercollegiate football.
- gloss over — an explanation or translation, by means of a marginal or interlinear note, of a technical or unusual expression in a manuscript text.
- make light of — of little weight; not heavy: a light load.
- make little of — small in size; not big; not large; tiny: a little desk in the corner of the room.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with p
- Words starting with pl
- Words starting with pla
- Words starting with play
- Words starting with playu
- Words starting with playup