player en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈpleɪ.ɚ/ (General-American)
- /ˈpleɪ.ə(ɹ)/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- (Southern-England) audio
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-West Germanic *plegō Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ti Proto-Germanic *-ōną Proto-West Germanic *-ōn Proto-West Germanic *plegōn Old English plegian Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āzios Latin -āriusnom. Latin -āriusbor. Proto-Germanic *-ārijaz Proto-West Germanic *-ārī Old English -ere Old English pleġere Middle English pleyer English player From Middle English pleyer, playere, from Old English pleġere (“player, athlete, wrestler”), from Proto-West Germanic *plegārī. Equivalent to play + -er.
Meanings
-
One that plays. ▸ One who plays any game or sport.
He is a player for the Australian team.
-
One that plays. ▸ An actor in a dramatic play.
All the world's a ſtage, / And all the men and women, merely Players
c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene vii], page 194, column 1:
- One that plays. ▸ One who plays on a musical instrument.
-
One that plays. ▸ A gamer; a person of video games or similar.
He is an avid Minecraft player.
The player is free to create their own narrative within a much larger set of possible designed narrative options, or, given the geographic and dialogical openness of Morrowind, to refuse the creation of any narrative but their own and wander aimlessly through the game.
2015, Angus Slater, “Prophecy, Pre-destination, and Free-form Gameplay: The Nerevarine Prophecy in Bethesda’s ‘Morrowind’”, in Online: Heidelberg Journal of Religions on the Internet, volume 7, →DOI, page 175:
- One that plays. ▸ A gambler.
-
(historical) One that plays. ▸ A mechanism that actuates a player piano or other automatic musical instrument.
But up to this time the application of the player mechanism had been confined to reed instruments, the piano manufacturers having successfully resisted the introduction of the player mechanism into the piano; but, in the meantime, the manufacturers of players had grown strong and the manufacturers were beginning to properly interpret the handwriting on the wall
1915, John McTammany, The Technical History of the Player:Electric players used either a four-lobe rotary pump belt-driven by an electric motor or a self-contained electric motor and ...
1970, Arthur W. J. G. Ord-Hume, Player piano: the history of the mechanical piano and how to repair it:A Technical Treatise on Piano Player Mechanism" contains detailed description of the various types of interior and exterior players, embracing manual, pneumatic, automatic, mechanical and electric
1909, William Braid White, Regulation and Repair of Piano and Player Mechanism, ..., page 179:
-
One that plays. ▸ An electronic device that plays audio or video media.
Is your CD player broken, or is this one disc damaged?
- One that plays. ▸ A software application that plays audio or video media, such as a media player.
- One who is playful; one without serious aims; an idler; a trifler.
-
A participant; one involved in something.
Another Bush — George W.’s brother Jeb — is likely to be a big player in the Republican Party’s future.
2012 November 7, Matt Bai, “Winning a Second Term, Obama Will Confront Familiar Headwinds”, in New York Times:He thought he could become a player, at least at the state level.
a major player in the direct banking sector
As the biggest rail player, Network Rail was usually held accountable for failings, but had no authority to change anything to solve the problems. The DfT had been given that authority in 2004 - but consistently ducked accountability.
2021 March 10, Nigel Harris, “It's time to get on with it!”, in RAIL, number 926, page 3:Decision realities research recognizes the occupational tribalism identified in occupational realities research, but goes further by paying attention to all the players – patients and lay caregivers included – who participate in negotiating care.
2011, Suzanne Shale, Moral Leadership in Medicine, page 239:
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A participant; one involved in something. ▸ One who participates in a particular type of sexual play.
In this space we explored lesbian sadomasochism, met other S/M women who were serious players, had access to safe equipment and, through watching other women, learned new techniques.
1991 April 22, Wickie Stamps, “A Lesbian Looks At The GMSMA's 10ᵗʰ Anniversary Celebration”, in Gay Community News, page 11:
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(informal) A person who plays the field rather than having a long-term sexual relationship.
Thunder only happens when it’s rainin’ / Players only love you when they’re playin’ / Say women, they will come and they will go / When the rain washes you clean, you’ll know
1977, Stevie Nicks, “Dreams”, in Rumours, performed by Fleetwood Mac, Warner Bros.:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| players | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Deriveds
VHS player · radio cassette player · player hater · player piano · team player · windplayer · baseball player · value over replacement player · player vs. player · player versus environment · singleplayer · playerhood · MP3 player · harp-player · football player · tape player · cello player · playersexual · gameplayer · proposition player · player vs player · long player · CD player · playtron · superplayer · cassette player · playerish · playette · player character · role player · badminton player · photoplayer · bugle-player · bugle player · trumpet-player · multi-player · role-player · most valuable player · ball player · playerless · player-manager · gamesplayer · interplayer · record player · handball player · chessplayer · bass player · volleyball player · oboe-player · playeress · tennis player · player base · guitar-player · non-player character · player-hater · playership · jazz player · hockey player · water polo player · string player · coplayer · basketball player · soccer player · trombone-player · single-player · player escort · flute-player · bit player · chess player · player of the match · rôle-player · ear player · ping pong player · long-player · chalk player · roleplayer · nonplayer · piano player · horseplayer · field hockey player · table tennis player · MP4 player · five tool player · beach volleyball player · gridiron football player · advantage player · polo player · utility player · playerdom · marquee player · multiplayer · player versus player · rugby player · DVD player · playersexuality · Blu-ray player · VCD player · playerbase · outfield player · garmon player · squash player · cardplayer · cosplayer · five-tool player · back gammon player · stageplayer
Relateds
Synonyms
roué · debauchee · adulterer · hood rat · rizzler · fornicator · gallant · libertine · bed-hopper · philanderer · laker · seducer · wanton · rake · debaucher · player · chamberer · lewdster · lecher · carpetmonger · voluptuary · rantipole
Translations (436)
fr gameuse (video games: gamer, gamester — see also gamer, gamester) · ja 遊び人 (person "playing the field") · es tañedor (one who plays a musical instrument) · fur zugadore (one who plays any game or sport) · pt ator (dramatic actor) · es reproductor (software application) · it giocatore (video games: gamer, gamester — see also gamer, gamester) · pl muzyk (one who plays a musical instrument) · ro jucător (one who plays any game or sport) · be прайграва́льнік (electronic device) · sk prehrávač (electronic device) · mn тоглуулагч (electronic device) · bg игра́ч (one who plays any game or sport) · fr fainéant (one without serious aims) · es chongo (person "playing the field") · ml കളിക്കാരൻ (one who plays any game or sport) · ja 選手 (one who plays any game or sport) · gl actor (dramatic actor) · cs přehrávač (software application) · mi kaitākaro (one who plays any game or sport) · fr joueur (one who plays a musical instrument) · kmr muzîkjen (one who plays a musical instrument) · mr प्लेयर (electronic device) · sv spelare (video games: gamer, gamester — see also gamer, gamester) · he שַׂחְקָן (one who plays any game or sport) · mk играч (one who plays any game or sport) · sh igràčica (one who plays any game or sport) · scn jucaturi (one who plays any game or sport) · km ម៉ាស៊ីនចាក់ (electronic device) · tl manlalaro (one who plays any game or sport) · sh kȍckār (gambler — see also gambler) · bg арти́ст (dramatic actor) · cs hráčka (one who plays any game or sport) · gl tocador (one who plays a musical instrument) · ro muzician (one who plays a musical instrument) · gl xogador (one who plays any game or sport) · ia jocator (one who plays any game or sport) · rm giugadur (one who plays any game or sport) · ru пле́ер (electronic device) · pl graczka (one who plays any game or sport) · ko 플레이어 (software application) · sh reproduktor (software application) · fr musicienne (one who plays a musical instrument) · ru прои́грыватель (electronic device) · ko 플레이어 (one who plays any game or sport) · kmr lîstikvan (one who plays any game or sport) · fr comédien (dramatic actor) · tr oyuncu (one without serious aims) · fa-ira قُمارْباز (gambler — see also gambler) · gl xogadora (one who plays any game or sport) · fr gamer (video games: gamer, gamester — see also gamer, gamester) · pt apostador (gambler — see also gambler) · vec xugadore (one who plays any game or sport) · ru исполни́тель (one who plays a musical instrument) · de Spieler (electronic device) · ur پِلیئَر (electronic device) · tg плеер (electronic device) · ca jugador (one who plays any game or sport) · ky оюнчу (one who plays any game or sport) · cmn 賭徒 /赌徒 (gambler — see also gambler) · pt instrumentista (one who plays a musical instrument) · kmr ace (one who plays a musical instrument) · ps بازيګر (one who plays any game or sport) · ru пле́ер (software application) · ru музыка́нт (one who plays a musical instrument) · yi שפּילער (one who plays any game or sport) · nv naanéhé (person "playing the field") · es picha brava (person "playing the field") · es donjuán (person "playing the field") · sc giogadore (one who plays any game or sport) · nb skuespiller (dramatic actor) · nl speler (one who plays any game or sport) · lo ນັກຫລິ້ນ (one who plays any game or sport) · hu lejátszó (electronic device) · nv naanéhígíí (person "playing the field") · pa کِھڈارَن (one who plays any game or sport) · tr oynatıcı (software application) · nl gokker (gambler — see also gambler) · fi soittaja (one who plays a musical instrument) · sw mchezaji (one who plays any game or sport) · ml നടൻ (dramatic actor) · lt grotuvas (electronic device) · ar جَهَاز (electronic device) · nl speler (software application) · sv skådespelare (dramatic actor) · fi soitin (electronic device) · fr joueur (one who plays any game or sport) · fi pelaaja (one who plays any game or sport) · la cantrix (one who plays a musical instrument) · uz pleyer (electronic device) · uk пле́єр (electronic device) · ro solist instrumentist (one who plays a musical instrument) · sh izvođač (software application) · gl xogador (gambler — see also gambler) · es instrumentista (one who plays a musical instrument) · de Abspieler (electronic device) · es bandarra (person "playing the field") · rm giovader (one who plays any game or sport) · pl odtwarzacz (software application) · sh ѝгра̄ч (one who plays any game or sport) · mk пле́ер (software application) · fi tekijä (participant) · kmr yarîker (one who plays any game or sport) · de Abspielgerät (electronic device) · th ผู้เล่น (one who plays any game or sport) · tr çalar (electronic device) · uk граве́ць (one who plays any game or sport) · ru лентя́й (one without serious aims) · rm giuieder (one who plays any game or sport) · lo ຜູ້ຫຼິ້ນ (one who plays any game or sport) · es bajapantalones (person "playing the field") · ja プレーヤー (electronic device) · nv naanéhígíí (one who plays any game or sport) · sv spelare (participant) · it attore (dramatic actor) · vec zugador (one who plays any game or sport) · fi soitin (software application) · ru лицеде́йка (dramatic actor) · cmn 懒惰者 (one without serious aims) · de Spieler (dramatic actor) · ro leneș (one without serious aims) · sv spelare (one who plays any game or sport) · la aleator (gambler — see also gambler) · el ηθοποιός (dramatic actor) · sc giogadori (one who plays any game or sport) · ja ギャンブラー (gambler — see also gambler) · be ігрэ́ц (one who plays any game or sport) · es actor (dramatic actor) · kmr sazbend (one who plays a musical instrument) · uk грець (one who plays any game or sport) · la lūsor (one who plays any game or sport) · nb spiller (electronic device) · ast xugador (one who plays any game or sport) · de Player (participant) · nrf joueux (one who plays any game or sport) · cmn 選手 /选手 (one who plays any game or sport) · la histrio (dramatic actor) · eo legilo (software application) · id pemain (one who plays any game or sport) · ro actor (dramatic actor) · cmn 烏狗 /乌狗 (person "playing the field") · de Gamer (video games: gamer, gamester — see also gamer, gamester) · de Schauspieler (dramatic actor) · ug ئويۇنچى (one who plays any game or sport) · bn খেলোয়াড় (one who plays any game or sport) · mn ᠲᠣᠭᠯᠠᠭᠴᠢ (one who plays any game or sport) · nl speler (dramatic actor) · cmn 競賽者 /竞赛者 (one who plays any game or sport) · mr वादक (one who plays a musical instrument) · ru ба́бник (person "playing the field") · ru актёр (dramatic actor) · cmn 播放器 (software application) · pt jogadora (one who plays any game or sport) · tr oyuncu (video games: gamer, gamester — see also gamer, gamester) · ka დამკვრელი (software application) · ru арти́стка (dramatic actor) · pt brincalhão (one without serious aims) · de Aufreißer (person "playing the field") · pt jogadora (video games: gamer, gamester — see also gamer, gamester) · cs přehrávač (electronic device) · sw mchezaji (person "playing the field") · la aleo (gambler — see also gambler) · sh ко̏цка̄р (gambler — see also gambler) · pl odtwarzacz (electronic device) · ary قمار (gambler — see also gambler) · cmn 演員 /演员 (dramatic actor) · cs hazardní hráč (gambler — see also gambler) · cs hráč (one who plays any game or sport) · ar مُقَامِر (gambler — see also gambler) · sh sviràčica (one who plays a musical instrument) · ba уйынсы (one who plays any game or sport) · sh svìrāč (one who plays a musical instrument) · bg свира́ч (one who plays a musical instrument) · uk програва́ч (electronic device) · fur zuiadôr (one who plays any game or sport) · cmn 參加者 /参加者 (participant) · ru актри́са (dramatic actor) · sh ìgrāč (one who plays any game or sport) · ga imreoir (one who plays any game or sport) · hu játékos (one who plays any game or sport) · he שַׂחְקָנִית (one who plays any game or sport) · gd cluicheadair (one who plays any game or sport) · ja プレーヤー (software application) · tr sporcu (one who plays any game or sport) · rm giujeader (one who plays any game or sport) · ru игра́ющий (one who plays any game or sport) · cy chwaraewr (one who plays any game or sport) · pl gracz (one who plays any game or sport) · ar لَاعِب (one who plays any game or sport) · ru ловела́с (person "playing the field") · pl hazardzista (gambler — see also gambler) · es jugador (one who plays any game or sport) · da spiller (gambler — see also gambler) · bg пле́йър (electronic device) · nl bespeler (one who plays a musical instrument) · ja プレイヤー (one who plays any game or sport) · it protagonista (participant) · fi peluri (gambler — see also gambler) · de Spielerin (one who plays any game or sport) · pa ਜੁਆਰੀਆ (gambler — see also gambler) · ro actriță (dramatic actor) · nrf joueux (one without serious aims) · pa ਖਿਡਾਰਨ (one who plays any game or sport) · nl speelvogel (one without serious aims) · vi cầu thủ (one who plays any game or sport) · mi pūpāpāho (software application) · ga seinnteoir (one who plays a musical instrument) · lo ນັກຫລິ້ນ (gambler — see also gambler) · fr joueuse (one who plays a musical instrument) · de Player (software application) · ms pemain (one who plays any game or sport) · be плэ́ер (electronic device) · ja 芸人 (dramatic actor) · pl hazardzistka (gambler — see also gambler) · es golfo (person "playing the field") · tr oynatıcı (electronic device) · cmn 運動員 /运动员 (one who plays any game or sport) · vi dân chơi (person "playing the field") · fr joueuse (gambler — see also gambler) · de Spieler (software application) · fr gameur (video games: gamer, gamester — see also gamer, gamester) · sh glùmica (dramatic actor) · de Player (electronic device) · lv pleijeris (electronic device) · an chugador (one who plays any game or sport) · ro player (electronic device) · mk играчка (one who plays any game or sport) · es golferas (person "playing the field") · la -cen (one who plays a musical instrument) · it strumentista (one who plays a musical instrument) · es mujeriego (person "playing the field") · sv musikant (one who plays a musical instrument) · fur ğujadôr (one who plays any game or sport) · as খেলুৱৈ (one who plays any game or sport) · alt ойынчы (one who plays any game or sport) · fr joueur (gambler — see also gambler) · pt player (software application) · kmr lîstikvan (dramatic actor) · oc jogaire (one who plays any game or sport) · pa ਖਿਡਾਰੀ (one who plays any game or sport) · pl aktor (dramatic actor) · km អ្នកលេង (one who plays any game or sport) · de Wiedergabegerät (electronic device) · nl speler (one without serious aims) · mt plejer (one who plays any game or sport) · fr actrice (dramatic actor) · ru игра́ющая (one who plays any game or sport) · kmr qumarker (gambler — see also gambler) · sh игра̀чица (one who plays any game or sport) · ja 奏者 (one who plays a musical instrument) · sc zocadore (one who plays any game or sport) · mr प्लेयर (software application) · pt tocador (electronic device) · nrf joueux (one who plays a musical instrument) · ru прои́грыватель (software application) · oc jogador (one who plays any game or sport) · ar مَشْغَل (software application) · ru арти́ст (dramatic actor) · gl reproductor (electronic device) · ka მოთამაშე (one who plays any game or sport) · it riproduttore (software application) · tk pleýer (electronic device) · es pendón (person "playing the field") · gl lector (electronic device) · fr musicien (one who plays a musical instrument) · sv spelare (gambler — see also gambler) · th เสือผู้หญิง (person "playing the field") · rup giucãtor (one who plays any game or sport) · it suonatrice (one who plays a musical instrument) · fr comédienne (dramatic actor) · bg комарджи́я (gambler — see also gambler) · hi प्लेयर (electronic device) · bg актьо́р (dramatic actor) · pt jogador (video games: gamer, gamester — see also gamer, gamester) · de Draufgänger (person "playing the field") · fi peluri (one without serious aims) · la actor (dramatic actor) · az oyunçu (one who plays any game or sport) · tg бозингар (one who plays any game or sport) · tk oýunçy (one who plays any game or sport) · lo ເຄື່ອງຫຼີ້ນ (electronic device) · el μουσικός (one who plays a musical instrument) · bg музика́нт (one who plays a musical instrument) · da musiker (one who plays a musical instrument) · it giocatore (one who plays any game or sport) · ko 선수 (one who plays any game or sport) · fa-ira بازیکُن (one who plays any game or sport) · he נַגָּן (one who plays a musical instrument) · mk играч (participant) · pl zawodniczka (one who plays any game or sport) · cmn 玩家 (one who plays any game or sport) · mi pūpāpāho (electronic device) · nl speler (electronic device) · fa-ira پِلِیَر (electronic device) · nb spiller (one who plays any game or sport) · et pleier (electronic device) · pt player (electronic device) · es reproductor (electronic device) · nb musiker (one who plays a musical instrument) · cy chwaraewr (software application) · fr lecteur (electronic device) · fr joueuse (one who plays any game or sport) · it lettore (electronic device) · nrf joueux (gambler — see also gambler) · is leikmaður (one who plays any game or sport) · pt jogador (one who plays any game or sport) · es frescales (person "playing the field") · mfe zwer (one who plays any game or sport) · uk грач (one who plays any game or sport) · ckb یاریکەر (one who plays any game or sport) · cmn 播放器 (electronic device) · ru игро́к (gambler — see also gambler) · fi pleijeri (person "playing the field") · de Spieler (video games: gamer, gamester — see also gamer, gamester) · nrf joueux (electronic device) · pl zawodnik (one who plays any game or sport) · tr kumarcı (gambler — see also gambler) · pl ogier (person "playing the field") · sk hráčka (one who plays any game or sport) · sq lojtare (one who plays any game or sport) · hy խաղացող (one who plays any game or sport) · de Spieler (one who plays a musical instrument) · tg дастгоҳи пахш (electronic device) · pl aktorka (dramatic actor) · cy chwaraewr (electronic device) · ru безде́льник (one without serious aims) · fa-ira پَخْشکُنَنْدِه (electronic device) · ro interpret (dramatic actor) · sq lojtar (one who plays any game or sport) · cmn 參與者 /参与者 (participant) · pa کِھڈارِی (one who plays any game or sport) · rm giuveder (one who plays any game or sport) · bho खिलाड़ी (one who plays any game or sport) · be гуле́ц (one who plays any game or sport) · es jugadora (one who plays any game or sport) · fi soitto-ohjelma (software application) · fi koneisto (mechanism that actuates a player piano or similar) · fi näyttelijä (dramatic actor) · my ကစားသူ (one who plays any game or sport) · nl player (software application) · cs herec (dramatic actor) · de Spieler (gambler — see also gambler) · nl speler (gambler — see also gambler) · ru игро́к (one who plays any game or sport) · mn тоглогч (one who plays any game or sport) · mr खेळाडू (one who plays any game or sport) · id pemutar (software application) · uk граве́ць (gambler — see also gambler) · nl speelster (one who plays a musical instrument) · lv spēlētājs (one who plays any game or sport) · es jugador (gambler — see also gambler) · cmn 玩家 (video games: gamer, gamester — see also gamer, gamester) · fi pelimies (person "playing the field") · cs karbaník (gambler — see also gambler) · mi kaiwhakatangi (one who plays a musical instrument) · fa-ira دَسْتْگاهِ پَخْش (electronic device) · la cantor (one who plays a musical instrument) · de Spielkind (one without serious aims) · ru лицеде́й (dramatic actor) · de Vorsetzer (mechanism that actuates a player piano or similar) · de Spieler (one who plays any game or sport) · ar مَشْغَل (electronic device) · uk пле́єр (software application) · tr oyunbaz (one without serious aims) · sl igralec (one who plays any game or sport) · uz oʻyinchi (one who plays any game or sport) · nv ayóoʼakalígíí (person "playing the field") · sv musiker (one who plays a musical instrument) · ar جِهَاز (electronic device) · nl speelster (one who plays any game or sport) · tr oyuncu (dramatic actor) · cmn 藝人 /艺人 (dramatic actor) · tr çapkın (person "playing the field") · pt jogador (gambler — see also gambler) · bn প্লেয়ার (electronic device) · cmn 渣男 (person "playing the field") · mk изведувач (software application) · fr lecteur (software application) · be ігро́к (one who plays any game or sport) · eu jokalari (one who plays any game or sport) · tt уенчы (one who plays any game or sport) · gl reprodutor (software application) · la iocator (one without serious aims) · it suonatore (one who plays a musical instrument) · nl vertolker (dramatic actor) · mk глумец (dramatic actor) · el παίκτρια (one who plays any game or sport) · ro jucătoare (one who plays any game or sport) · fr parieur (gambler — see also gambler) · pt tocador (one who plays a musical instrument) · da spiller (one who plays any game or sport) · el παίκτης (one who plays any game or sport) · de Akteur (participant) · ur کِھلاڑی (one who plays any game or sport) · th เครื่องเล่น (electronic device) · mk изведувач (electronic device) · kk ойыншы (one who plays any game or sport) · fr fainéante (one without serious aims) · es lector (electronic device) · hi खिलाड़ी (one who plays any game or sport) · ja 博徒 (gambler — see also gambler) · de Frauenheld (person "playing the field") · et mängija (one who plays any game or sport) · bg игра́чка (one who plays any game or sport) · nv naanéhé (one who plays any game or sport) · ist zugadur (one who plays any game or sport) · fr acteur (dramatic actor) · cs hráč (one who plays a musical instrument) · shn ၽူႈလဵၼ်ႈ (one who plays any game or sport) · ru кобе́ль (person "playing the field") · da skuespiller (dramatic actor) · lt žaidėjas (one who plays any game or sport) · tr kumarbaz (gambler — see also gambler) · cmn 播放機 /播放机 (electronic device) · sk hráč (one who plays any game or sport) · ja 俳優 (dramatic actor) · ary لعاب (one who plays any game or sport) · be гуле́ц (gambler — see also gambler) · ko 플레이어 (electronic device) · bg комарджи́йка (gambler — see also gambler) · pt reprodutor (software application) · ary لعايبي (one who plays any game or sport) · tr oyuncu (one who plays any game or sport) · nb spiller (one who plays a musical instrument) · eo legilo (electronic device) · nl speler (one who plays a musical instrument) · pa جُوأرِیا (gambler — see also gambler) · la actrix (dramatic actor) · tr çalgıcı (one who plays a musical instrument) · pdt Späla (one who plays a musical instrument) · sh svirač (software application) · pt leitor (electronic device) · sh glúmac (dramatic actor) · sl igralka (one who plays any game or sport) · mnc ᡴᠠᡨᡠ᠋ᡵᡝᠪᡠᠰᡳ (one who plays any game or sport) · pdt Späla (one who plays any game or sport)