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A game

American

Or A-game,

noun

Informal.

a person’s best effort, abilities, or achievement.

The candidate brought her A game to the debate.

'A' game British

noun

informal one's best possible performance, esp in the phrase to bring or take one's 'A' game

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of A game

In reference to a sports contest, with the letter A indicating peak performance

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.

A game of energetic ping-pong unfolded underneath the gallery’s fluorescent light, beams of identification, recollections or stabs of grief bouncing off each piece in the exhibition.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

He made his return to rugby in an England A game against France but was red-carded for a high shot on Antoine Hastoy.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

Crawley has played eight one-day internationals, the last of which in West Indies in December 2023 was also his last List A game.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2025

"A game like this, you can't dwell into it too much," said vice-captain Pant, who took charge of the team after Gill was forced out.

From Barron's • Nov. 16, 2025

A game room with a pool table and beanbag chairs and another TV.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

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