play vs show

play and show both are nouns.

play and show both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
play	Yes	No	Yes	No
show	Yes	No	Yes	No

As nouns, show is a hypernym of play; that is, show is a word with a broader meaning than play:

play: a theatrical performance of a drama
show: an act or social event involving a public performance or entertainment

play (noun)	show (noun)
gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement	an act or social event involving a public performance or entertainment
(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession	pretending that something is the case in order to make a good impression
the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)	something intended to communicate a particular impression
an attempt to get something
a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
a preset plan of action in team sports
activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
utilization or exercise
movement or space for movement
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
a theatrical performance of a drama
a weak and tremulous light
a state in which action is feasible
the removal of constraints
(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds

play (verb)	show (verb)
engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously	establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment
pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind	provide evidence for
exhaust by allowing to pull on the line	indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
consider not very seriously	give expression to
participate in games or sport	give evidence of, as of records
bet or wager (money)	indicate a certain reading; of gauges and instruments
contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle	finish third or better in a horse or dog race
put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game	show in, or as in, a picture
make bets	take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
stake on the outcome of an issue	make visible or noticeable
shoot or hit in a particular manner	be or become visible or noticeable
employ in a game or in a specific position	give an exhibition of to an interested audience
use or move
use to one's advantage
manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
replay (as a melody)
perform music on (a musical instrument)
play a role or part
perform on a certain location
be performed or presented for public viewing
cause to emit recorded audio or video
pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
perform on a stage or theater
emit recorded sound
play on an instrument
cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
behave in a certain way
be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
behave carelessly or indifferently
be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way

play vs show

play and show both are nouns.

play and show both are verbs.

Words related to "play"

Words related to "show"