What is meant by 'word play'?

'Word play' refers to the clever and creative use of the meanings and ambiguities of words. This can involve puns, double entendres, or playing with the sounds and structures of words to create humor or a clever twist in meaning. It's an artistic technique that engages the audience, often provoking thought or laughter.

For example, in poetry or jokes, word play can take the form of a pun, where a word has multiple meanings or sounds similar to another word, resulting in a humorous or insightful effect. The use of ambiguities is central to word play, as it allows the writer or speaker to convey multiple layers of meaning in a playful manner. In contrast, using words in a literal sense, exploring sound without focus on meaning, or repetitive phrases do not capture this creative engagement with language that defines word play.