Play vs. Replay — What's the Difference?

To occupy oneself in an activity for amusement or recreation

To play over again

To take part in a sport or game

To bring (a remembered experience) into one's consciousness in sequential detail

To participate in betting; gamble.

The act or process of replaying.

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

Something replayed.

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

An instant replay.

To act or conduct oneself in a specified way

(transitive) To play again.

To act, especially in a dramatic production.

(transitive) To display a recording of a previous event, especially multiple times.

To perform on an instrument

An act or instance of replaying (of playing something, such as a game, again); a replaying of (something).

To emit sound or be sounded in performance

A repeat or subsequent playing of some or all of something which was previously broadcast or performed, or a playing of something which was recorded, such as a live event or a television broadcast, the gameplay of a computer game, etc.

To be performed, as in a theater or on television

A (video or audio) recording of an action or event that is or can be replayed after being recorded; saved video footage (which is, or can be, replayed) of the gameplay of a computer game, a (portion of a) televised sports match, etc.

To be received or accepted

(sport) A replayed match, often after the first game or match ended in a draw; a rematch.

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

A repetition of another event, scene, or occurrence; a recurrence or reenactment.

To function or discharge uninterruptedly

Something (especially a game) that is played again

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

(television) showing again some action (especially sports action) that has been recorded on video tape

To engage in (a game or sport)

Reproduce (a recording) on a recorder;

To compete against in a game or sport

Play (a melody) again

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

Repeat a game against the same opponent;

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

Play again;

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

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

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

To attempt to keep or gain possession or control of

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

To assume the role of; act as

To pretend to be; mimic the activities of

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

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

To bet; wager

To make bets on

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

To handle; manage

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

To perform on (an instrument)

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

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

To discharge or direct in a certain direction

To cause to move rapidly, lightly, or irregularly

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

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

The performance of such a work.

Activity engaged in for enjoyment or recreation.

Fun or jesting

The act or manner of engaging in a game or sport

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

A move or an action in a game

Participation in betting; gambling.

Manner of dealing with others; conduct

An attempt to obtain something; a bid

Action, motion, or use

Freedom or occasion for action; scope

Movement or space for movement, as of mechanical parts.

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

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

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

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

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

(transitive) To compete against, in a game.

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

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

To gamble.

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

To produce music or theatre.

To produce music.

To produce music using a musical instrument.

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

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

To be performed; to be shown.

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

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

(multiple senses) To behave in a particular way.

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

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

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

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

To kid; to joke; say something for amusement.

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

(intransitive) To move to and fro.

(transitive) To put in action or motion.

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

To manipulate, deceive, or swindle someone.

Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(countable) A theatrical performance featuring actors.

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

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

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

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

Sexual activity or sexual role-playing.

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

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

Activity relating to martial combat or fighting.

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

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

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

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

To act; to behave; to practice deception.

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

To move gayly; to wanton; to disport.

To act on the stage; to personate a character.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols.

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

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.

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

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

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

Performance on an instrument of music.

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

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

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

A theatrical performance of a drama;

A preset plan of action in team sports;

A deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill;

A state in which action is feasible;

Utilization or exercise;

An attempt to get something;

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

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

The removal of constraints;

A weak and tremulous light;

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

Movement or space for movement;

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

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

The activity of doing something in an agreed succession;

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

Participate in games or sport;

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

Play on an instrument;

Play a role or part;

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

Replay (as a melody);

Perform music on (a musical instrument);

Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind;

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

Bet or wager (money);

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

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

Emit recorded sound;

Perform on a certain location;

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

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

Behave in a certain way;

Cause to emit recorded sounds;

Manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination;

Use to one's advantage;

Consider not very seriously;

Be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way;

Behave carelessly or indifferently;

Cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space;

Perform on a stage or theater;

Be performed;

Cause to happen or to occur as a consequence;

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

Make bets;

Stake on the outcome of an issue;

Shoot or hit in a particular manner;

Use or move;

Employ in a game or in a specific position;

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

Exhaust by allowing to pull on the line;