Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

play along

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.18 in modern English

Syllables: play a-long
IPA

15

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To take part in a charade, deception, or practical joke.

verb

To participate in a joke or trick while hiding one's knowledge of its true nature.

verb

To play a musical instrument in synchrony with a playback of a recording.

verb

To cooperate or go along with a plan.

American usage

verb

To pretend to cooperate or go along with a plan.

American usage

verb

To manipulate (someone).

British usage

verb

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see play, along.

Example Sentences

"James thought it was cruel for the fraternity members to make the pledge think his father had died suddenly and refused to play along."
"James played along with their cruel trick."
"North Korea loves to spring surprises. More unusual is for its US foe to play along."
"I knew that my blind date was an April Fools trick, but I played along anyway."
"I like to practise guitar by playing along with records."
"I have doubts about your plan, but I'll play along for now."

Usage

American usage
British usage

Inflected Forms

plays along (present, singular) playing along (participle, present) played along (participle, past) played along (past)

Phrases

play dumb

Frequently Paired Words

play dumb

Synonyms

accompany follow go along

Questions

What does play along mean?: To take part in a charade, deception, or practical joke.

How to pronounce play along

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “play along”.
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