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game-changer

American  
[geym-cheyn-jer] / ˈgeɪmˌtʃeɪn dʒər /
Or game changer

noun

  1. Sports. an athlete, play, etc., that suddenly changes the outcome of a game or contest.

  2. 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

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.

Game changer for your insightful worldview analogy, I guess.

From New York Times • Jul. 10, 2016

Frame 12 - Game changer: A tactical 42-minute exchange was pinched by Carter on the black ball to gain a 7-5 advantage.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2016

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.