player
player
Pronunciation
/ˈpleɪər/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
Play /pleɪ/
/p/ - voiceless bilabial plosive
/l/ - voiced alveolar lateral approximant
/eɪ/ - diphthong (as in "day")
er /ər/
/ə/ - schwa (mid-central vowel)
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant
Word Form Variations
Singular: player (e.g., "one player")
Plural: players (e.g., "many players")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A person who participates in a game or sport.
Definition: An individual actively involved in a competitive activity governed by rules, typically aiming to achieve a specific objective or score.
Synonyms: competitor, participant, athlete, gamester, contestant, sportsman/sportswoman.
Antonyms: spectator, observer, fan, audience.
A device used to play back recorded media.
Definition: An electronic or mechanical apparatus designed to reproduce audio or visual content from a storage medium, such as a disc, tape, or digital file.
Synonyms: reproducer, deck, drive (e.g., DVD player, record player, media player).
Antonyms: recorder (in some contexts, as a recorder creates, rather than plays back).
An actor, especially one who performs on stage.
Definition: A performer who portrays a character in a dramatic production, often in a theatrical setting.
Synonyms: actor, performer, theatrical, dramatist (less common for the person, more for the writer).
Antonyms: audience, spectator, writer (of the play).
A person who is skilled or experienced in a particular field, often with a strategic or influential role.
Definition: An individual who actively operates within a specific domain, frequently demonstrating expertise, influence, or a calculated approach to achieve their goals within that context. This often implies a degree of power or importance.
Synonyms: operative, figure, agent, participant, stakeholder, mover and shaker.
Antonyms: novice, amateur, bystander, outsider, minor figure.
Informal: A person, often male, who has many romantic or sexual partners and is considered manipulative or insincere in relationships.
Definition: A casual term referring to someone, typically a man, who engages in multiple, often transient, romantic or sexual relationships, frequently with an implication of emotional detachment, disingenuousness, or a lack of commitment.
Synonyms: philanderer, womanizer, casanova, charmer, flirt, heartbreaker.
Antonyms: committed partner, faithful person, loyal individual.
Examples of Use
Books:
"He was a superb poker player, reading his opponents with unnerving accuracy, a skill he'd honed over years in smoky backrooms." (From a novel about a gambler)
"The Economist recently analyzed how China's Belt and Road Initiative positions it as a key global player in infrastructure development." (Adapted from an economic analysis book)
Newspapers:
"Liverpool FC announced the signing of a new midfield player from Borussia Dortmund, hoping to bolster their squad for the upcoming season." (The Guardian)
"Analysts suggest that the emerging tech startup is a significant new player in the artificial intelligence market, poised to disrupt established companies." (The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications:
"How to Choose the Best Media Player for Your PC: A Comprehensive Guide" (TechRadar.com)
"The article discusses the role of individual players in shaping global climate policy, emphasizing the impact of activists and scientists." (Politico.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Video Games: "Character Selection: Choose your player and embark on an epic quest." (Common in video game interfaces, e.g., Elden Ring)
Music Streaming: "Now Playing: 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen on your music player." (Spotify interface)
Television Series Dialogue: "Don't trust him, he's a total player; he'll break your heart." (From a romantic drama series, e.g., Bridgerton)
Film Review: "The lead player delivers a compelling performance, bringing depth and nuance to an otherwise predictable character." (RogerEbert.com)
General Public Discourse:
"We need to bring in some fresh players to the team if we want to win the championship this year." (Heard in a casual conversation about a local sports team)
"The company is looking for a new player in the marketing department who can bring innovative ideas." (Heard in a business meeting)
"My old CD player finally gave out, so I'm thinking of getting a new one that can handle MP3s." (Heard in a casual conversation)
10 Quotes Using Player
"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players." (William Shakespeare, As You Like It)
"The first duty of a revolutionary is to be a player." (Mao Zedong)
"I'm a team player. I'm a good soldier." (Michael Bloomberg)
"Every good player has a coach." (Serena Williams)
"A chess player develops a quality that is called objectivity." (Garry Kasparov)
"You cannot be a first-rate player with a third-rate mind." (Billie Jean King)
"I've learned to be a team player, and I've learned that you can't always get what you want." (David Beckham)
"My father said, 'Work hard, play fair, be a good team player.'" (Bob Iger)
"The best player in the world is the one who performs best in the biggest moments." (Didier Drogba)
"A truly great player is someone who makes everyone around them better." (John Wooden)
Etymology
The word "player" comes from Old English, specifically from the word "plegere." This word literally meant "one who takes part in pastimes or amusements." It's essentially the word "play" combined with the suffix "-er," which indicates someone who does something.
So, the very first known use and meaning of "player" was quite broad, referring to anyone engaged in any kind of recreational activity or amusement, like an athlete or someone enjoying themselves. Over time, its meaning became more specific, like referring to actors (around the 14th century) or people involved in games (early 15th century). The sense of it being a device for playing media (like a "record player") is much more recent, from the early 20th century.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Player
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "player":
Team player: Someone who works well with others towards a common goal.
Key player: A very important or influential person in a group, organization, or situation.
Power player: An individual or entity with significant influence or control, especially in business or politics.
High-stakes player: Someone involved in a situation where the risks and potential rewards are very great.
Bit player: A person who has a small, often insignificant, role in a play, film, or real-life situation.
To play the player: To outwit someone who typically tries to manipulate or deceive others.
Fair player: Someone who acts honestly and according to the rules.
Good player/bad player: Referring to someone's skill or conduct in a game or metaphorical "game" of life.
Market player: A company or individual actively participating in a particular market.
Big player: Similar to "key player" or "power player," indicating a major participant or influencer.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of player from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
