players
|play-ers|
🇺🇸
/ˈpleɪ.ɚz/
🇬🇧
/ˈpleɪ.əz/
(player)
one who plays / participant
Etymology
'player' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'pleier', where the element 'plei-' came from Old English related to 'plega' meaning 'play, sport'.
'player' changed from Middle English 'pleier' (an agent noun formed from the verb 'play') and eventually became the modern English word 'player' through regular sound and spelling changes.
Initially, it meant 'one who plays (a game or instrument)'; over time it broadened to include 'participant', 'performer', and figuratively 'an important person or organization'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
people who take part in a game, sport, or match.
The players warmed up before the match.
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Noun 2
people who perform music (members of a band or orchestra).
The players in the orchestra rehearsed all afternoon.
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Noun 3
individuals involved in an activity or situation (often used figuratively for influential people or organizations).
Several major players in the industry met to discuss standards.
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Noun 4
people who engage in romantic or sexual pursuits (informal, often with a negative connotation).
He's known among his friends as one of the players.
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Last updated: 2025/11/18 20:48