You’re listening to Lingo Phoenix’s word of the day for September 14.

Cream Filled Donut Day

Today’s word is play, spelled p-l-a-y.

play /pleɪ/ verb

PRETEND [linking verb] to behave as if you are a particular kind of person or have a particular feeling or quality, even though it is not true

the accusation that scientists are playing God

Some snakes fool predators by playing dead.

‘What do you mean?’ ‘Don’t play dumb (=pretend you do not know something).'

Don’t play the innocent (=pretend you do not know about something) with me – we both know what happened.

Susan felt she had to play the good wife.

He played the fool (=behaved in a silly way) at school instead of working.

BEHAVE [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to behave in a particular way in a situation, in order to achieve the result or effect that you want

How do you want to play this meeting?

Play it safe (=avoid risks) and make sure the eggs are thoroughly cooked.

If you like him, play it cool, or you might scare him off.

With your word of the day, I’m Mohammad Golpayegani.

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Thanks for listening, stay safe, and we’ll see you back here tomorrow with a new word.