noun
Uncommon
playa
PLEYE-uh
Playa (noun) means a flat area of land that periodically floods and then dries out completely, leaving a hard, cracked surface. Example: “The festival is held on a dry desert playa each summer.”
noun
1
A flat area of land that periodically floods and then dries out completely, leaving a hard, cracked surface.
"The festival is held on a dry desert playa each summer."
2
Slang for a man who has multiple romantic or sexual partners and is skilled at attracting them.
"He's got a reputation as a playa in his social circle."
How to use playa
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dry desert basin, or (informal slang) someone who dates around a lot.
When to use it
The "player" sense is informal slang and often written this way to mimic pronunciation.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- playas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The festival is held on a dry desert _____ each summer.
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish playa, "beach." The desert-basin sense comes from the same word used regionally in Spanish for a dry lakebed.
Rhymes for playa
See all rhymes for playa →Frequently asked questions
What does “playa” mean?
The word “playa” means a flat area of land that periodically floods and then dries out completely, leaving a hard, cracked surface. In plain terms, a dry desert basin, or (informal slang) someone who dates around a lot.
How do you pronounce “playa”?
“Playa” is pronounced PLEYE-uh (/ˈplaɪə/ in IPA).
How do you use “playa” in a sentence?
Here is “playa” used in a sentence: “The festival is held on a dry desert playa each summer.”
What part of speech is “playa”?
“Playa” is a noun.
Where does the word “playa” come from?
The word “playa” comes from Spanish. Borrowed from Spanish playa, "beach." The desert-basin sense comes from the same word used regionally in Spanish for a dry lakebed.
Is “playa” a common word?
“Playa” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “playa” have?
“Playa” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flat area of land that periodically floods and then dries out completely, leaving a hard, cracked surface.
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