play to
phrasal verb
played to; playing to; plays to
1
: to behave or perform in a particular way for (someone or something) in order to get approval or attention
He didn't mean what he was saying. He was just playing to the crowd.
He loves publicity and plays to the cameras every chance he gets.
2
: to make use of (something)
a film that plays to stereotypes of housewives
In his latest album, he once again plays to his strengths as a classical musician.
Examples of play to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These small pets’ active and engaging behavior, from zipping around the tank and finding places to hide in solo play to following movement outside the tank in interactive play, can keep a kid’s attention.
—
Sierra Leone Starks, Parents, 10 Feb. 2026
This wasn't like in 2022 when former Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer drew the Texas coaching staff's ire for comparing the Longhorns' style of play to the sport of rugby.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
The two remained stoic while Dropkin played to the crowd, whipping up the loud American supporters.
—Julia Frankel, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2026
One expert argues that the expensive move is also a play to convince consumers and investors of the company’s AI future.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play to
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Sierra Leone Starks, Parents, 10 Feb. 2026
This wasn't like in 2022 when former Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer drew the Texas coaching staff's ire for comparing the Longhorns' style of play to the sport of rugby.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
The two remained stoic while Dropkin played to the crowd, whipping up the loud American supporters.
—Julia Frankel, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2026
One expert argues that the expensive move is also a play to convince consumers and investors of the company’s AI future.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play to
Cite this Entry
“Play to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20to. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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