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

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."

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 notes

In 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

player →

Word forms

playas plural, playas plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “playa” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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.

Origin: Spanish

Rhymes for playa

ya WYA MYA aya saya Maya kuya raya heya hiya kaya Jaya

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.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include playa:

Words with Spanish origins