gameness

American  

[geym-nis] / ˈgeɪm nɪs /

noun

1. the quality of having a fighting spirit; courage or resolution; pluck.

   The horse revealed his true gameness, coming up from behind after that early stumble.

2. the required enthusiasm or will to do something.

   In a show of gameness, they tackled the icy path with shovels and picks.

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ˈgameness British  

/ ˈɡeɪmnɪs /

noun

1. courage or bravery; pluck

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Etymology

Origin of gameness

First recorded in 1805–10; game ¹ (in the adjective senses “plucky” and “enthusiastic”) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

Onstage, Brand has prided himself on a thrill-seeking gameness.

From New York Times • Nov. 13, 2023

Too bad the weak body-swapping farce she’s given to play isn’t worthy of her gameness, a missed opportunity to fuse Lovecraft, Blake Edwards and Paul Verhoeven.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2023

And the passing of melodic themes between the chorus and the orchestra at the convergence of the finale was a breathtaking display of Britten’s compositional dexterity — and the BSO’s gameness.

From Washington Post • Apr. 3, 2022

Then there are other guests like Kacey Musgraves and Lil Nas X who pleasantly surprised me with their gameness to play.

From Salon • May 27, 2020

He has, however, a clean, low frictionless stride far preferable to the high sweeping action of his rival, and his clean-cut thoroughbred lines and splendid chest indicated that he had both gameness and stamina.

From History of the Kentucky Derby, 1875-1921 by O'Connor, John Lawrence