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.

Opener Sahibzada Farhan hit a robust half-century to help Pakistan post 190-9 in their T20 World Cup Group A game against United States in Colombo on Tuesday.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

A game that should be for all is now only for those who can afford it.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 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 in which Celtic required 71 minutes to get a shot on target, and a stalemate that confirmed Rangers had made their worst start to a league season since 1983.

From BBC • Nov. 1, 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