style of play

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   the particular way a team or player usually plays a sport.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say a style of play, or styles of play for more than one.

   Patterns

   • a style of play
   • someone's style of play
   • change your style of play
   • a style of play based on something

   The coach changed his team's style of play after they lost three games in a row.

   Their style of play is fast and attacking, which makes them fun to watch.

   Critics said the new manager's style of play was too defensive for such a talented squad.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountable

   the general way someone does something or approaches a task, especially in the arts or business.

   Grammar: Often used with a possessive: her style of play. It can be uncountable when talking about the general manner of doing something.

   Patterns

   • someone's style of play
   • a style of play in something
   • develop a style of play

   In jazz, each musician has a personal style of play that listeners can recognize immediately.

   The company's style of play in negotiations is patient and low-key.

Word forms

Common combinations

attacking style of play

Their attacking style of play produced four goals in the first half.

defensive style of play

A defensive style of play can protect a narrow lead late in the match.

change your style of play

We had to change our style of play when the rain made the pitch heavy.

a style of play based on

The team uses a style of play based on quick passing and constant movement.

adapt your style of play

Good players adapt their style of play to suit the opponent.

Synonyms and how they differ

tactics

Tactics refers to the specific plans and decisions for a match, while style of play is the overall, recognizable way a team plays.

approach

Approach is a more general word for how you deal with something; style of play is used mainly in sports and the arts.

game plan

A game plan is the plan for one particular game, whereas a style of play is the team's usual method over many games.

Word family

play verb

to take part in a sport or game.

player noun

a person who plays a sport or game.

playful adjective

enjoying games and fun; not serious.

Commonly confused: style of play or play style?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “style of play”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words