play out

verb

played out; playing out; plays out
Synonyms of play outnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to perform to the end
play out a role
b
: use up, finish
play out the season
2
: unreel, unfold
played out a length of line.Gordon Webber

intransitive verb

1
: to become spent or exhausted
a style that has played out
2
: develop, unfold
see how things play out

Examples of play out in a Sentence

we've finally played out the leftovers from that huge holiday meal
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This situation played out again Friday at the press conference for filmmaker George Jaques’ Generation title Sunny Dancer, about a group of youngsters who find friendship at a summer camp for cancer survivors. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026 These forces are colliding, and the consequences are playing out in markets, workplaces, and societies around the world. Alan H.h. Fleischmann, Time, 13 Feb. 2026 Exactly how quickly — and how messily — India’s clean energy revolution might play out isn’t yet clear. Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026 Dallas Carter’s all but locked up the district title but their playoff path could be determined by how the rest of the District 11 standings play out. Ishmael Johnson, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for play out

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of play out was in 1598

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Play out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20out. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

play out

verb
1
: to perform to the end
2
a
: to use up or finish
b
: to become exhausted : tire
3
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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