player
PLAY-uh
Player (noun) means someone taking part in a game or sport. Example: “Only eleven players are allowed on the pitch at once.”
noun
1
Someone taking part in a game or sport.
"Only eleven players are allowed on the pitch at once."
"She's the best player on the team."
"Each player on the team received a bottle of water."
2
An actor performing in a play.
"The players took their bows as the curtain fell."
"The travelling players performed a comedy in the village hall."
"A young player won praise for her role in the school play."
3
A device that plays recorded audio or video.
"He plugged the old cassette player into the speakers."
"Streaming apps come with a built-in video player."
"My grandfather still owns a record player that works perfectly."
4
An important or influential participant in a field, deal, or industry.
"The company is now a major player in the electric-car market."
"The small firm became a key player in the local bakery trade."
"Several big players attended the meeting about the new railway."
5
Informal: someone who dates multiple people casually rather than committing to one relationship.
"Everyone warned her that he was a player."
"I am not looking for a player who flirts with everyone at the party."
"She ended it once she realised he was a player."
How to use player
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAnyone or anything that plays — a sportsperson, an actor, a media device, or, informally, someone who juggles several romantic partners.
Common mistake
Context matters a lot here — "a big player in tech" means an influential company, not a literal games player.
Common pairings
key player
star player
media player
major player
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Word forms
- Plural
- players
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Only eleven _____ are allowed on the pitch at once.
Etymology
From Old English pleġere ("athlete, one who plays"), built from play plus the agent suffix -er.
Synonyms
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competitor
contestant
participant
athlete
gamer
sportsperson
team member
actor
musician
thespian
histrion
role player
Related words
Rhymes for player
See all rhymes for player →Frequently asked questions
What does “player” mean?
The word “player” means someone taking part in a game or sport. In plain terms, anyone or anything that plays — a sportsperson, an actor, a media device, or, informally, someone who juggles several romantic partners.
How do you pronounce “player”?
“Player” is pronounced PLAY-uh (/ˈpleɪ.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “player” in a sentence?
Here is “player” used in a sentence: “Only eleven players are allowed on the pitch at once.”
What part of speech is “player”?
“Player” is a noun.
Where does the word “player” come from?
The word “player” comes from Old English. From Old English pleġere ("athlete, one who plays"), built from play plus the agent suffix -er.
Is “player” a common word?
“Player” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “player” have?
“Player” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone taking part in a game or sport.
What is the difference between a player and an athlete?
A player is anyone taking part in a game or sport, including non-physical games like chess or cards. An athlete is someone skilled and trained in physical sport and exercise. The two overlap for sports like football, but "athlete" stresses fitness and physical ability, while "player" simply means a participant.
Does "player" only refer to sports?
No. Its main sense is someone in a game or sport, but "player" also means a significant person or company in a field ("a major player in tech"), a device for media ("a music player"), and, in older theatre language, an actor. Context shows which meaning applies.
What is an example of a player?
A footballer on the pitch, a tennis player at a match, and a chess player at the board are all players. In video games, each participant is a player too. The word covers anyone actively taking part in the game or sport, whatever form it takes.
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