Meaning & use
players
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“players” is a form of “player”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
people who take part in a game, sport, or competition.
Grammar: Plural of player; it needs a plural verb: The players are ready.
Patterns
- the players on a team
- players in a game
- a group of players
The players ran onto the field to loud cheers.
Both players shook hands after the match.
The coach told the players to stay calm.
nounpluralmusic
people who perform music on an instrument.
Grammar: Plural of player; often used before another noun: the players' seats.
Patterns
- players in an orchestra
- players of an instrument
The trumpet players sat at the back of the stage.
All the players tuned their instruments before the concert.
nounpluralbusiness
companies or individuals who take part in a business or political activity.
Grammar: Plural of player; common in business and news writing.
Patterns
- key players in something
- major players in a market
Several key players in the tech industry attended the meeting.
Small firms find it hard to compete with the big players.
Word forms
| singular | player |
|---|---|
| possessive plural | players' |
Common combinations
- team players
- Good team players support their teammates.
- key players
- Key players in the deal met privately.
- players on the field
- The players on the field were exhausted.
- a group of players
- A group of players warmed up before the game.
Synonyms and how they differ
- competitors
- Focuses on people competing against each other, not just taking part.
- athletes
- Only for sports people, especially in track and field; players is wider.
- performers
- Used for musicians or actors on stage; players is more common for instruments.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: players or player's? players or prayers?
players vs player's
Player's is singular possessive (one player's bag); players' is plural possessive (the players' bags).
players vs prayers
Prayers sounds similar but means words said to God; players means people in a game.
Practice
The ______ are warming up before the final.
Choose one answer.
The verb are is plural, so we need the plural noun players. Player is singular and would need is; player's is possessive singular; players' is possessive plural.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “players”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.