play with
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: play with.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
The boy was playing with his toys.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To fiddle with; make small adjustments to, for example to something mechanical in order to improve its performance.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
To trick.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “play with” mean?
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: play with.
Is “play with” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.