game-changer

American

[geym-cheyn-jer] / ˈgeɪmˌtʃeɪn dʒər /

Or game changer

noun

Sports. an athlete, play, etc., that suddenly changes the outcome of a game or contest.
a person or thing that dramatically changes the course, strategy, character, etc., of something.

Social media has been a real game-changer in the company’s marketing efforts.

Other Word Forms

game-changing adjective

Etymology

Origin of game-changer

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

More places to sock away fuels “could be a game-changer for Asian countries.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

The bill’s swing at more construction and cheaper housing is “far from a game-changer, but it is a move in the right direction,” Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi told Barron’s.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

VPNs can be a game-changer for sports fans looking to stream live sports matches.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2026

And that, said Orouji, was a game-changer for at least some of the women choosing to seek asylum.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

Crypto proponents say tokenized stocks can be a game-changer, offering 24/7 trading and the chance to own fractions of shares that might come with eye-watering prices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023