1 A2 neutral
To play a recording of audio or video so that you can hear or see it again.
"After the interview, she played back the recording to check she hadn't missed anything."
separable
play back
A2 neutral separable transitive
To play a recorded sound or video in order to hear or watch it again.
In plain English
To listen to or watch something you recorded earlier.
What does "play back" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To mentally revisit or replay an event or memory in one's mind.
"He kept playing back the argument in his head, wishing he'd said something different."
separable
Usage tip
Very common in both everyday and professional contexts (music, film, voice messages, video). The 'back' emphasizes returning to something already captured. Both 'play it back' and 'play back the recording' are natural. Used in British and American English. The noun 'playback' (one word) is common in technical and music contexts.
Words that pair with "play back"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
recording message video tape audio footage
How to conjugate "play back"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
play back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
plays back
he/she/it
Past simple
played back
yesterday
Past participle
played back
have + pp
-ing form
playing back
continuous
Hear "play back" in the wild
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Other ways to say "play back"
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Keep exploring
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