playbook

[ pley-book ]

noun

1. (in Elizabethan drama) the script of a play, used by the actors as an acting text.
2. a book containing the scripts of one or more plays.
3. Football. a notebook containing descriptions of all the plays and strategies used by a team, often accompanied by diagrams, issued to players for them to study and memorize before the season begins.
4. Informal. any plan or set of strategies, as for outlining a campaign in business or politics.

playbook

/ ˈpleɪˌbʊk /

noun

1. a book containing a range of possible set plays
2. a notional range of possible tactics in any sphere of activity

Word History and Origins

Origin of playbook¹

First recorded in 1525–35; play + book

Example Sentences

Trump’s strategy follows the same playbook, updated for today’s political landscape.

From Salon

This is an “increasingly dangerous” playbook, he argues.

From BBC

On the radio in 2016, Kennedy attacked Trump’s populist playbook, comparing him to European dictators like Francisco Franco and Benito Mussolini, as well as American white supremacists George Wallace and Father Charles Coughlin.

From Salon

They appear to be taking a page from Musk’s playbook for extreme cost-cutting.

From New York Times

Gaetz, for his part, is echoing Trump's playbook of characterizing all accusations against him as being part of a political witch hunt.

From Salon

Related Words

• article
• book
• copy
• dialogue
• libretto
• manuscript
• scenario
• text