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Glite Dictionary
to play a part

to play a part

42 2.5
To act in a show or help make something happen
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : desempeñar un papel
  • Each member of the cast plays a part in bringing the story to life.
  • development plays a part
  • decisions play a part
  • continue to play a part

What key factors played a part in you being hired?

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Examples

  • I'd like to think that I played a part in your rise to stardom.

    Last Christmas (2019)

  • Ultimately, it can play a part in reducing the need for anti-psychotic medicine and residential care.

    Academic text (2011)

  • And all of us played a part in creating the values.

  • Clearly I played a part, but only a small part.

  • And it's like, listen, you play a part here too.

    Stephan Speaks

  • How has family played a part in your own life and your own meaning in your life?

  • What key factors played a part in you being hired?

    Film Courage

  • But so many other people played a part in me getting this gold jacket.

  • Therefore, they felt excited and honored that they could play a part in the development of the institution.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Women have a perfect right to play a part in our movement, Reg.

    Life of Brian (1979)

Synonyms

to play
vsto play a part
∞ 1.0

Act as a character in a stage show, film, or TV show

often means appearing in a production rather than helping achieve a group's goal
to participate
vsto play a part
866 2.5

To join in an activity with other people

covers joining in or contributing but also includes performing in shows
to act
vsto play a part
375 2.1

Perform a role in a play, film, or show

focuses more on being in a production than on contributing to results
to be
vsto play a part
225 1.0

Act as a character in a play or film

describes occupying a character in a production, not broader contribution
to act as
vsto play a part
199 2.6

Serve in the role of a person or thing

is similar but can also mean performing in productions rather than formal function
to take part
vsto play a part
169 1.4

To join in an activity with other people

is the same idea but additionally covers performing characters in productions
to play a role
vsto play a part
81 2.5

To help decide what happens in a situation

is used for joining an effort or performing in shows rather than influencing strongly
to play the role of
vsto play a part
36 3.0

To act as a character in a play or as someone in a real situation

often focuses on a single character or function rather than general help
to partake in
vsto play a part
  • Formal
20 4.3

To join an activity or event with other people

is similar but typically used for effort or performance as well
to playact
vsto play a part
2 6.7

To pretend to be a person in a story on stage or with friends

is about acting for effect, while the concept also means contributing
to play one's part
vsto play a part
3.9

Do your share of the work to help a group

emphasizes taking on a task or helping achieve something rather than theatrical work

How Important

to play a part
42 2.5
to take part
169 1.4

Surface Forms

play a part infinitive
played a part past
played a part past participle
playing a part present participle
plays a part third person singular

Morphology

play + a + part

The meaning 'to take on a role or to contribute' is directly and compositely built from 'play' (to perform/portray) plus 'part' (a role or contribution); the article 'a' is semantically neutral. This is a common, cross-linguistic construction (e.g. 'jouer un rôle', 'desempeñar un papel') and therefore immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Play a part comes from the theatre: an actor plays a part, meaning a role in a show, so they help the story happen. By that image, to play a part now means 'to take on a role' or 'to help make something happen'.