How to Pronounce Played

To pronounce "played", say PLAY-ed — 2 syllables, IPA /pleɪd/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

played

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

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Syllables

Letters

/pleɪd/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “played”

"played" has 2 syllables: play-ed. It rhymes with dismayed and accolade, if that helps it stick.

What does played mean?

verb

To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.
“They played long and hard.”
To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game).
“He plays on three teams”

Synonyms

defraud get it on have sex make out

Hear “played” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with played

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

dismayed accolade renegade cascade staid charade jade escapade retrograde palisade evade pervade

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "played"?▾

"Played" has 2 syllables: play · ed.

What is the IPA transcription of "played"?▾

The IPA transcription of "played" is /pleɪd/.

What does "played" mean?▾

Played: To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.

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