small game

American  

noun

1. wild animals and birds hunted for sport, as rabbits or doves, that are smaller than animals, as deer and bears, classified as big game.

---

small game British  

noun

1. small animals that are hunted for sport

---

Etymology

Origin of small game

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

"Just a small game for us next on Wednesday!"

From Barron's • Jan. 10, 2026

RZSS, which runs a wildlife park nearby, used cage-type traps baited with venison and quail, a small game bird, to capture the cats.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2025

Twenty were related to hunting, including more spears but also finely balanced throwing sticks for downing small game or birds.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 31, 2024

During the rainy season, they ate avocados, nuts, various types of fruit, and small game, like rabbits.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Hundreds of delicate bones litter the clearing around the vehicle, scattered among thousands of porcupine quills: the remains of the small game that made up the bulk of McCandless’s diet.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer