player

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "player" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who is involved in a game or sport, as in "John is an excellent soccer player," or to refer to someone who uses or operates a machine or device, as in "My sister is a skilled music player."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find yet more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings.

The Guardian - Sport

The player was thankfully not seriously hurt".

The Guardian - Sport

I remember when I was a youth-team player, fans putting money in buckets at the Winter Gardens.

The Guardian - Sport

But he made it clear that Britain must be an active player.

The Guardian

You can follow all the scores, statistics, live player and team ratings with the new free-to-downloadWhoScored iOS app Follow WhoScored on Twitter and Facebook Follow Guardian Football on Facebook.

The Guardian - Sport

The reason for this conflict, Schelling explained, was that not wearing a helmet conferred a slight advantage on the ice; crucially, it gave the player better peripheral vision, and it also made him look fearless.

The Economist

Rodríguez had barely used Ramírez during the qualifiers but had come under immense pressure from fans to bring the player nicknamed 'El Pelé' to the World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

Adding insult to injury, their opponents' winner was set up by a player in an offside position.

The Guardian - Sport

The player himself, however, seemed utterly convinced that he would return from this latest setback soon enough, saying: "My career is not over.

The Guardian - Sport

Not every player can go out like Muttiah Muralitharan, taking his 800th wicket with his final ball in Test cricket, or Nasser Hussain, hitting the winning runs to go to a final century at Lord's.

The Guardian - Sport

[At Hamilton] it was against SPL players but down here, for all I have the better calibre of player, you are working against better teams as well".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In business or political contexts, "player" can imply influence or agency. Ensure the context supports this interpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "player" too casually in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise terms like "participant", "contributor", or "agent" depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey. Choose specific language instead of defaulting to the general, ambiguous "player".

Linguistic Context

The word "player" primarily functions as a noun, denoting an individual involved in a game, sport, or other activity. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, such as sports teams, musical ensembles, and political arenas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "player" is a versatile noun that signifies a participant in various activities, ranging from sports and music to business and politics. As indicated by Ludwig, its grammatical function is straightforward, and its appropriateness depends heavily on the context. While commonly used in news and media, more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or scientific writing to enhance precision and avoid ambiguity. Ludwig AI states that the word is grammatically correct and usable in written English, so you can confidently use it in your writings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Participant

Focuses on the action of taking part in something.

Contender

Emphasizes the aspect of competition and striving for success.

Performer

Highlights the act of showcasing skill or talent.

Competitor

Specifically refers to someone engaged in a contest or rivalry.

Team member

Emphasizes belonging to a group working towards a common goal.

Instrumentalist

Specifically refers to someone who plays a musical instrument.

Key figure

Highlights the importance or influence of an individual in a particular context.

Party

Refers to a person or group involved in a legal agreement or dispute.

Agent

Implies someone acting on behalf of another person or entity.

Operator

Refers to someone who controls or uses a machine or piece of equipment.

FAQs

How can I use "player" in a sentence?

You can use "player" to refer to someone who participates in a game or sport, as in "She is a talented tennis player". It can also refer to someone involved in a business or political context, such as "He is a key player in the negotiations".

What are some synonyms for "player" in a sports context?

In a sports context, alternatives to "player" include "athlete", "competitor", or "team member". The best choice depends on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

When is it appropriate to use "player" in a business context?

Using "player" is appropriate when referring to someone with influence or agency in a business context. For example, "They are a major player in the industry". However, in more formal contexts, consider using "stakeholder" or "participant".

What is the difference between using "player" and "instrumentalist"?

"Player" is a general term for someone who participates in a game, sport, or activity. "Instrumentalist" is a specific term referring to someone who plays a musical instrument. For example, "She is a skilled piano player" could also be phrased as "She is a skilled instrumentalist".