gameness
Americannoun
-
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.
-
the required enthusiasm or will to do something.
In a show of gameness, they tackled the icy path with shovels and picks.
noun
Etymology
Origin of gameness
First recorded in 1805–10; game 1 (in the adjective senses “plucky” and “enthusiastic”) + -ness ( def. )
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.
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
“Ay, or the pair of you couldn’t have taken me!” said Peyton, with hot scorn and defiant gameness.
From The Continental Dragoon A Love Story of Philipse Manor-House in 1778 by Stephens, Robert Neilson
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.
