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Meaning & use

interplay

noun·Academicformal

Last updated

UK/ˈɪntəpleɪ/
US/ˈɪntɚpleɪ/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    The way two or more things affect each other, each changing the other over time.

    Grammar: Often with between or of: the interplay between light and shadow.

    Patterns

    • interplay between something and something
    • the interplay of something

    The interplay between diet and exercise shapes our health.

    Scientists study the interplay of genes and environment.

    The film is a clever interplay of humor and sadness.

  2. noununcountable

    The lively back-and-forth between people, such as performers or players, as they react to one another.

    Grammar: Usually describes people working together: the interplay between the singers.

    Patterns

    • the interplay between people

    The interplay between the two comedians kept the crowd laughing.

    I loved the quick interplay of the guitar and the drums.

    Good interplay among teammates leads to better passes.

Common combinations

interplay between
The interplay between cost and quality is complex.
complex interplay
A complex interplay of factors caused the drop in sales.
subtle interplay
There is a subtle interplay of color and form in the painting.
the interplay of light and shadow
The interplay of light and shadow made the room feel alive.
dynamic interplay
The dynamic interplay of the cast made the scene work.

Synonyms and how they differ

interaction
Interaction is more general and can be a single event, while interplay suggests an ongoing mutual influence.
interrelation
Interrelation stresses the connection itself and sounds more academic than interplay.
give-and-take
Give-and-take is informal and mostly about compromise between people.
synergy
Synergy means the combined effect is greater than the parts, whereas interplay is neutral about results.

Opposites

isolation

Word family

play verb
the root verb
interact verb
to act with or on each other
interaction noun
the act of interacting
interplay verb
a rare verb meaning to act on each other

Commonly confused: interplay or interlay?

interplay vs interlay

Interlay is a rare verb meaning to insert layers between; interplay is the mutual influence of things.

Practice

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