game

¹ American  

[geym] / geɪm /

noun

1. an amusement or pastime.

   children's games.

2. the material or equipment used in playing certain games.

   The store started selling toys and games.

3. a competitive activity involving skill, chance, or endurance on the part of two or more persons who play according to a set of rules, usually for their own amusement or for that of spectators.

   Flag football is a game growing in popularity.

   Synonyms:

   competition , contest , sport

4. a single occasion of such an activity, or a definite portion of one.

   the final game of the season;

   a rubber of three games at bridge.

5. the number of points required to win a game.

6. the score at a particular stage in a game.

   With five minutes to play, the game was 7 to 0.

7. a particular manner or style of playing a game.

   Her game of chess is improving.

8. anything resembling a game, as in requiring skill, endurance, or adherence to rules.

   She's an expert at the game of diplomacy.

9. a trick or strategy.

   They can see through your game.

   Synonyms:

   artifice , scheme , plot , plan , stratagem

10. something treated lightly or lacking in seriousness; sport.

    That's enough of your games!

    When I was young, love was just a game to me.

11. wild animals, including birds and fishes, such as those hunted for food or taken for sport or profit.

    The area is particularly rich in game.

    Synonyms:

    quarry , quarry , quarry , prey , prey

12. the flesh of such wild animals, used as food.

    The cook made a dish of game.

13. any object of pursuit, attack, abuse, etc..

    The new boy at school seemed to be fair game for practical jokers.

    Synonyms:

    quarry , quarry , quarry , prey , prey

14. Informal.  a business or profession.

    He's in the real-estate game.

15. Informal.  the ability to attract or charm romantic or sexual partners.

    He's got no game—hasn't had a date in months.

16. Archaic.  fighting spirit; pluck.

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adjective

gamer, gamest

1. relating to or composed of animals hunted or taken as game, or to their flesh.

2. having a fighting spirit; plucky.

   Synonyms:

   fearless , dauntless , intrepid , bold , brave

3. Informal.  having the required spirit or will (often followed by for or an infinitive).

   Who's game for a hike through the woods?

verb (used without object)

gamed, gaming

1. to play games of chance for stakes; gamble.

2. Digital Technology.  to play computer or video games.

verb (used with object)

gamed, gaming

1. to squander in games of chance (usually followed byaway ).

2. to manipulate to one's advantage, especially by trickery; attempt to take advantage of.

   The policy is flawed and many people try to game the system.

idioms

1. off one’s game,

   1. Sports.  playing badly.

      You can tell the pitcher's off his game—he's walked three batters in a row.

   2. not performing as well as usual.

      The showrunner and her writers are off their game, and episodes this season drag on without the humor and lightness fans had come to expect.

2. play games,  to act in an evasive, deceitful, manipulative, or trifling manner in dealing with others.

   Don't play games with me—I want to know if you love me or not!

3. play the game,

   1. to act or play in accordance with the rules.

   2. to act honorably or justly.

      We naively assumed that our allies would continue to play the game.

4. die game,

   1. to die after a brave struggle.

   2. to remain steadfast or in good spirits at the moment of defeat.

      He knew that as a candidate he didn't have a chance in the world, but he campaigned anyway and died game.

5. make game of,  to make fun of; ridicule.

   It's cruel to make game of the weak and defenseless.

6. on one’s game,

   1. Sports.  playing well.

      You need to recruit experienced players who will be on their game coming straight off the bench.

   2. performing well, or as well as usual.

      She’s been noticeably sharper and really on her game since she came back from vacation.

7. talk a big / good game,  to make exaggerated claims or promise extraordinary results.

   The PR team talks a big game, but revenue for their department has been flat for three years running.

game ² American  

[geym] / geɪm /

adjective

1. lame.

   a game leg.

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game ¹ British  

/ ɡeɪm /

noun

1. an amusement or pastime; diversion

2. a contest with rules, the result being determined by skill, strength, or chance

3. a single period of play in such a contest, sport, etc

4. the score needed to win a contest

5. a single contest in a series; match

6. (plural; often capital) an event consisting of various sporting contests, esp in athletics

   Olympic Games

   Highland Games

7. equipment needed for playing certain games

8. short for computer game

9. style or ability in playing a game

   he is a keen player but his game is not good

10. a scheme, proceeding, etc, practised like a game

    the game of politics

11. an activity undertaken in a spirit of levity; joke

    marriage is just a game to him

12. 1. wild animals, including birds and fish, hunted for sport, food, or profit

    2. ( as modifier )

       game laws

13. the flesh of such animals, used as food: generally taken not to include fish

14. an object of pursuit; quarry; prey (esp in the phrase fair game )

15. informal  work or occupation

16. informal  a trick, strategy, or device

    I can see through your little game

17. obsolete  pluck or courage; bravery

18. slang  prostitution (esp in the phrase on the game )

19. to reveal one's intentions or a secret

20. to make fun of; ridicule; mock

21. playing badly

22. playing well

23. to behave fairly or in accordance with rules

24. there is no longer a chance of success

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adjective

1. informal  full of fighting spirit; plucky; brave

2. informal  extremely brave; indomitable

3. informal  (usually foll by for) prepared or ready; willing

   I'm game for a try

verb

1. (intr) to play games of chance for money, stakes, etc; gamble

game ² British  

/ ɡeɪm /

adjective

1. a less common word for lame 1

   game leg

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game More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing game

• ahead of the game
• at this stage (of the game)
• badger game
• beat someone at his or her own game
• call someone's bluff (game)
• confidence game
• end game
• fair game
• fun and games
• give away (the game)
• losing battle (game)
• name of the game
• only game in town
• play a waiting game
• play games
• play the game
• waiting game
• whole new ball game

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Usage

What does game mean? A game is an activity for amusement, particularly with rules that guide the action, like musical chairs.A game is also the materials needed to play certain games, such as a checkerboard and disks for playing checkers.A game is also a competitive activity, like football, or a single occasion of the activity.To game is to play computer or video games or to gamble.To game is used figuratively to mean to cheat or manipulate to one’s advantage.Example: I have never been to a game that was this slow and boring.

Related Words

See play.

Other Word Forms

• gameless adjective
• gamelike adjective
• gameness noun
• ungamelike adjective

Etymology

Origin of game¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English noun game, gam, gamme “joy; pleasure; sport; hunting,” Old English gaman, gomen; cognate with Old High German gaman “glee”

Origin of game²

First recorded in 1775–85; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

The Bruins have not appeared in a Rose Bowl game since 1999, at the end of a season in which they won their last conference championship.

From Los Angeles Times

I watched the game in their ground surrounded by hills, and it gave me a sensation almost like I was watching football for the very first time.

From BBC

Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were prohibited from attending the 6 November game at Villa Park in Birmingham, a decision that was later reviewed.

From BBC

During a game, competitors are given files of jumbled data and scenarios or 'cases' that require sorting, based on a question, within the quickest time.

From BBC

"We dominated the game in every area throughout, with 11 men and 10 men," said James.

From Barron's

Related Words

• competition
• contest
• match
• round
• tournament