Play vs. Touch — What's the Difference?

To occupy oneself in an activity for amusement or recreation

Come into or be in contact with

To take part in a sport or game

Handle in order to interfere with, alter, or otherwise affect

To participate in betting; gamble.

Affect or concern

To behave in a teasing or joking manner; act in jest or sport

Produce feelings of affection, gratitude, or sympathy in

To deal or behave carelessly or indifferently, especially for one's own amusement; toy

Reach (a specified level or amount)

To act or conduct oneself in a specified way

Ask someone for (money or some other commodity) as a loan or gift

To act, especially in a dramatic production.

Lightly mark in features or other details with a brush or pencil.

To perform on an instrument

An act of touching someone or something

To emit sound or be sounded in performance

A small amount; a trace

To be performed, as in a theater or on television

A distinctive manner or method of dealing with something

To be received or accepted

The area beyond the sidelines, out of play

To move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly

An act of asking for and getting a loan or gift from someone

To function or discharge uninterruptedly

A series of changes shorter than a peal.

To move or operate freely within a bounded space, as machine parts do.

A thing that tests the worth or character of something

To engage in (a game or sport)

To cause or permit a part of the body, especially the hand or fingers, to come in contact with so as to feel

To compete against in a game or sport

To bring something into light contact with

To compete in a game or sport at (a location)

To bring (one thing) into light contact with something else

To occupy or work at (a position) in a game

To press or push lightly; tap

To put (a player) at a position in a sport or in a game

To lay hands on in violence

To use or move (a card or piece) in a game

To eat or drink; taste

To hit (a ball, shot, or stroke), as in tennis

To disturb or move by handling

To attempt to keep or gain possession or control of

To meet without going beyond; adjoin

To perform or act (a role or part) in a dramatic performance.

(Mathematics) To be tangent to.

To assume the role of; act as

To come up to; reach

To pretend to be; mimic the activities of

To match in quality; equal

To perform (a theatrical work or part of a work)

To deal with, especially in passing; treat briefly or allusively

To present a theatrical performance or other entertainment in (a given place)

To have an effect on

To bet; wager

To affect the emotions of

To make bets on

To injure slightly

To perform or put into effect, especially as a jest or deception

To color slightly; tinge

To handle; manage

To draw with light strokes.

To use or manipulate, especially for one's own interests

To change or improve by adding fine lines or strokes.

To perform on (an instrument)

To stamp (tested metal).

To perform (a piece) on instruments or an instrument.

(Slang) To wheedle a loan or handout from

To cause (a movie, audiotape, or other recording) to be presented in audible or visible form.

(Archaic) To strike or pluck the keys or strings of (a musical instrument).

To discharge or direct in a certain direction

To play (a musical piece).

To cause to move rapidly, lightly, or irregularly

To touch someone or something.

To exhaust (a hooked fish) by allowing it to pull on the line.

To be or come into contact

A literary work written for performance on the stage; a drama.

The act or an instance of touching.

The performance of such a work.

A light push; a tap

Activity engaged in for enjoyment or recreation.

(Sports) An instance of contacting or propelling the ball or puck

Fun or jesting

The physiological sense by which external objects or forces are perceived through contact with the body.

The act or manner of engaging in a game or sport

A sensation experienced in touching something with a characteristic texture

The act or manner of using a card, piece, or ball in a game or sport

A discernible mark or effect left by contact with something.

A move or an action in a game

A small change or addition, or the effect achieved by it

Participation in betting; gambling.

A suggestion, hint, or tinge

Manner of dealing with others; conduct

A mild attack

An attempt to obtain something; a bid

A small amount; a dash

Action, motion, or use

A manner or technique of striking the keys of a keyboard instrument

Freedom or occasion for action; scope

The resistance to pressure characteristic of the keys of a keyboard

Movement or space for movement, as of mechanical parts.

An ability to propel a ball a desired distance; control or accuracy

Quick, often irregular movement or action, especially of light or color

A facility; a knack

A control mechanism on an audio or video player that starts or resumes the audible or visual presentation of a recording.

A characteristic way of doing things

A geological deposit, as of oil or natural gas, considered as a prospect for commercial extraction.

The state of being in contact or communication

(intransitive) To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.

An official stamp indicating the quality of a metal product.

To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game).

The act of approaching someone for a loan or handout.

(transitive) To compete against, in a game.

A prospect for a loan or handout

(transitive) (in the scoring of games and sports) To be the opposing score to.

The area just outside the sidelines in soccer or just outside and including the sidelines in rugby.

(intransitive) To take part in amorous activity; to make love.

Touch football.

To gamble.

Primarily physical senses.

(transitive) To act as the indicated role, especially in a performance.

(transitive) To make physical contact with; to bring the hand, finger or other part of the body into contact with.

To produce music or theatre.

(transitive) To come into (involuntary) contact with; to meet or intersect.

To produce music.

(intransitive) To come into physical contact, or to be in physical contact.

To produce music using a musical instrument.

(intransitive) To make physical contact with a thing.

To produce music (or a specified song or musical style) using (a specified musical instrument).

(transitive) To physically disturb; to interfere with, molest, or attempt to harm through contact.

To use a device to watch or listen to the indicated recording.

(transitive) To make intimate physical contact with a person.

To be performed; to be shown.

To sexually excite with the fingers; to finger or masturbate.

To perform in or at; to give performances in or at.

(transitive) To cause to be briefly in contact with something.

(transitive) To act or perform (a play).

(transitive) To physically affect in specific ways implied by context.

(multiple senses) To behave in a particular way.

(transitive) To consume, or otherwise use.

(copulative) Contrary to fact, to give an appearance of being.

(intransitive) Of a ship or its passengers: to land, to make a short stop (at).

(intransitive) To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless.

To lay hands on (someone suffering from scrofula) as a form of cure, as formerly practised by English and French monarchs.

(intransitive) To act; to behave; to practice deception.

To fasten; to take effect; to make impression.

(transitive) To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute.

(nautical) To bring (a sail) so close to the wind that its weather leech shakes.

To kid; to joke; say something for amusement.

To be brought, as a sail, so close to the wind that its weather leech shakes.

To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate.

(nautical) To keep the ship as near (the wind) as possible.

(intransitive) To move to and fro.

Primarily non-physical senses.

(transitive) To put in action or motion.

(transitive) To imbue or endow with a specific quality.

(transitive) To keep in play, as a hooked fish in order to land it.

To deal with in speech or writing; to mention briefly, to allude to.

To manipulate, deceive, or swindle someone.

(intransitive) To deal with in speech or writing; briefly to speak or write (on or upon something).

Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.

(transitive) To concern, to have to do with.

(uncountable) Similar activity in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills.

(transitive) To affect emotionally; to bring about tender or painful feelings in.

(uncountable) The conduct, or course, of a game.

To affect in a negative way, especially only slightly.

(uncountable) An individual's performance in a sport or game.

To give royal assent to by touching it with the sceptre.

(countable) A short sequence of action within a game.

To obtain money from, usually by borrowing (from a friend).

An action carried out when it is one's turn to play.

To disturb the mental functions of; to make somewhat insane; often followed with "in the head".

(countable) A literary composition, intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue.

To be on the level of; to approach in excellence or quality.

(countable) A theatrical performance featuring actors.

(transitive) To come close to; to approach.

(countable) An attempt to move forward, as in a plan or strategy, for example by a business, investor, or political party.

To mark (a file or document) as having been modified.

(countable) A geological formation that contains an accumulation or prospect of hydrocarbons or other resources.

To try; to prove, as with a touchstone.

(uncountable) Movement (of a pattern of light etc.)

To mark or delineate with touches; to add a slight stroke to with the pencil or brush.

(uncountable) The extent to which a part of a mechanism can move freely, as for example lash, backlash, or slack.

(obsolete) To infect; to affect slightly.

Sexual activity or sexual role-playing.

To strike; to manipulate; to play on.

(countable) An instance of watching or listening to digital media.

To perform, as a tune; to play.

(countable) A button that, when pressed, causes media to be played.

To influence by impulse; to impel forcibly.

Activity relating to martial combat or fighting.

An act of touching, especially with the hand or finger.

To engage in sport or lively recreation; to exercise for the sake of amusement; to frolic; to spot.

The faculty or sense of perception by physical contact.

To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless.

The style or technique with which one plays a musical instrument.

To contend, or take part, in a game; as, to play ball; hence, to gamble; as, he played for heavy stakes.

(music) The particular or characteristic mode of action, or the resistance of the keys of an instrument to the fingers.

To perform on an instrument of music; as, to play on a flute.

A distinguishing feature or characteristic.

To act; to behave; to practice deception.

A little bit; a small amount.

To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate; to act; as, the fountain plays.

The part of a sports field beyond the touchlines or goal-lines.

To move gayly; to wanton; to disport.

A relationship of close communication or understanding.

To act on the stage; to personate a character.

The ability to perform a task well; aptitude.

To put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump.

(obsolete) Act or power of exciting emotion.

To perform music upon; as, to play the flute or the organ.

(obsolete) An emotion or affection.

To perform, as a piece of music, on an instrument; as, to play a waltz on the violin.

(obsolete) Personal reference or application.

To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute; as, to play tricks.

A single stroke on a drawing or a picture.

To act or perform (a play); to represent in music action; as, to play a comedy; also, to act in the character of; to represent by acting; to simulate; to behave like; as, to play King Lear; to play the woman.

(obsolete) A brief essay.

To engage in, or go together with, as a contest for amusement or for a wager or prize; as, to play a game at baseball.

(obsolete) A touchstone; hence, stone of the sort used for touchstone.

To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.

(obsolete) Examination or trial by some decisive standard; test; proof; tried quality.

Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols.

(shipbuilding) The broadest part of a plank worked top and but, or of one worked anchor-stock fashion (that is, tapered from the middle to both ends); also, the angles of the stern timbers at the counters.

Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement or diversion; a game.

The children's game of tag.

The act or practice of contending for victory, amusement, or a prize, as at dice, cards, or billiards; gaming; as, to lose a fortune in play.

(bell-ringing) A set of changes less than the total possible on seven bells, i.e. less than 5,040.

Action; use; employment; exercise; practice; as, fair play; sword play; a play of wit.

(slang) An act of borrowing or stealing something.

A dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy; a composition in which characters are represented by dialogue and action.

Tallow.

The representation or exhibition of a comedy or tragedy; as, he attends ever play.

Form; standard of performance.

Performance on an instrument of music.

(Australian rules football) A disposal of the ball during a game, i.e. a kick or a handball.

Motion; movement, regular or irregular; as, the play of a wheel or piston; hence, also, room for motion; free and easy action.

To come in contact with; to hit or strike lightly against; to extend the hand, foot, or the like, so as to reach or rest on.

Hence, liberty of acting; room for enlargement or display; scope; as, to give full play to mirth.

To perceive by the sense of feeling.

A dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage;

To come to; to reach; to attain to.

A theatrical performance of a drama;

To try; to prove, as with a touchstone.

A preset plan of action in team sports;

To relate to; to concern; to affect.

A deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill;

To handle, speak of, or deal with; to treat of.

A state in which action is feasible;

To meddle or interfere with; as, I have not touched the books.

Utilization or exercise;

To affect the senses or the sensibility of; to move; to melt; to soften; especially, to cause feelings of pity, compassion, sympathy, or gratitude in.

An attempt to get something;

To mark or delineate with touches; to add a slight stroke to with the pencil or brush.

Play by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules;

To infect; to affect slightly.

(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds;

To make an impression on; to have effect upon.

The removal of constraints;

To strike; to manipulate; to play on; as, to touch an instrument of music.

A weak and tremulous light;

To perform, as a tune; to play.

Verbal wit (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously);

To influence by impulse; to impel forcibly.

Movement or space for movement;

To harm, afflict, or distress.

Gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement;

To affect with insanity, especially in a slight degree; to make partially insane; - rarely used except in the past participle.

The act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize);

To lay a hand upon for curing disease.

The activity of doing something in an agreed succession;

To compare with; to be equal to; - usually with a negative; as, he held that for good cheer nothing could touch an open fire.

The act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

To induce to give or lend; to borrow from; as, to touch one for a loan; hence, to steal from.

Participate in games or sport;

To be in contact; to be in a state of junction, so that no space is between; as, two spheres touch only at points.

Act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome;

To fasten; to take effect; to make impression.

Play on an instrument;

To treat anything in discourse, especially in a slight or casual manner; - often with on or upon.

Play a role or part;

To be brought, as a sail, so close to the wind that its weather leech shakes.

Be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children;

The act of touching, or the state of being touched; contact.

Replay (as a melody);

The sense by which pressure or traction exerted on the skin is recognized; the sense by which the properties of bodies are determined by contact; the tactile sense. See Tactile sense, under Tactile.

Perform music on (a musical instrument);

Act or power of exciting emotion.

Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind;

An emotion or affection.

Move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly;

Personal reference or application.

Bet or wager (money);

A stroke; as, a touch of raillery; a satiric touch; hence, animadversion; censure; reproof.

Engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion;

A single stroke on a drawing or a picture.

Pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity;

Feature; lineament; trait.

Emit recorded sound;

The act of the hand on a musical instrument; bence, in the plural, musical notes.

Perform on a certain location;

A small quantity intermixed; a little; a dash.

Put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game;

A hint; a suggestion; slight notice.

Engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously;

A slight and brief essay.

Behave in a certain way;

A touchstone; hence, stone of the sort used for touchstone.

Cause to emit recorded sounds;

Hence, examination or trial by some decisive standard; test; proof; tried quality.

Manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination;

The particular or characteristic mode of action, or the resistance of the keys of an instrument to the fingers; as, a heavy touch, or a light touch; also, the manner of touching, striking, or pressing the keys of a piano; as, a legato touch; a staccato touch.

Use to one's advantage;

That part of the field which is beyond the line of flags on either side.

Consider not very seriously;

A boys' game; tag.

Be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way;

A set of changes less than the total possible on seven bells, that is, less than 5,040.

Behave carelessly or indifferently;

An act of borrowing or stealing.

Cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space;

Tallow; - a plumber's term.

Perform on a stage or theater;

The event of something coming in contact with the body;

Be performed;

The faculty of touch;

Cause to happen or to occur as a consequence;

A suggestion of some quality;

Discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream;

A distinguishing style;

Make bets;

The act of putting two things together with no space between them;

Stake on the outcome of an issue;

A slight but appreciable addition;

Shoot or hit in a particular manner;

A communicative interaction;

Use or move;

A slight attack of illness;

Employ in a game or in a specific position;

The act of soliciting money (as a gift or loan);

Contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle;

The sensation produced by pressure receptors in the skin;

Exhaust by allowing to pull on the line;

Deftness in handling matters;

The feel of mechanical action;

Make physical contact with, come in contact with;

Perceive via the tactile sense;

Affect emotionally;

Have to do with or be relevant to;

Be in direct physical contact with; make contact;

Have an effect upon;

Deal with; usually used with a form of negation;

Cause to be in brief contact with;

To extend as far as;

Be equal to in quality or ability;

Tamper with;

Make a more or less disguised reference to;

Comprehend;

Consume;

Dye with a color