game-changer
Americannoun
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Sports. an athlete, play, etc., that suddenly changes the outcome of a game or contest.
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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.
"It was a game changer that allowed these animals to adopt a much more active lifestyle," said Mooney.
From Science Daily • Apr. 23, 2026
“The ChatGPT moment for EDA may have finally arrived, and agentic AI tools may be a game changer for the semiconductor industry,” Shi wrote in a Monday note.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026
Although the ability to make snow has been a game changer for resorts in North America, here’s the rub: Snowmaking works only when it’s cold.
From Slate • Apr. 11, 2026
To be a "game changer" for Kyiv, the pace of engagement needed to be kept up.
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026
This blind handoff would be the game changer.
From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds
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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.