play to

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

Williams plunged in for the touchdown on the next play to cut the lead to 23-20 with seven minutes left in the third. — Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026

Clemson forced a sack on the next play to make the Hurricanes settle for a field goal. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026

Patrick Mahomes hit Tyquan Thornton for 55 yards on a third-down play to set up the Chiefs’ go-ahead score in the fourth quarter. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026

But the Bears answered with a 36-yard field goal just before halftime, then went 77 yards in nine plays to begin the second half, capped by Lagway’s 3-yard pass to Hawkins Polley. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026

Rhymes for play to

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou