game

¹game

noun \ˈgām\

Definition of GAME

1

a (1) : activity engaged in for diversion or amusement : play (2) : the equipment for a game

b : often derisive or mocking jesting : fun, sport <make game of a nervous player>

2

a : a procedure or strategy for gaining an end : tactic

b : an illegal or shady scheme or maneuver : racket

3

a (1) : a physical or mental competition conducted according to rules with the participants in direct opposition to each other (2) : a division of a larger contest (3) : the number of points necessary to win (4) : points scored in certain card games (as in all fours) by a player whose cards count up the highest (5) : the manner of playing in a contest (6) : the set of rules governing a game (7) : a particular aspect or phase of play in a game or sport <a football team's kicking game>

b plural : organized athletics

c (1) : a field of gainful activity : line <the newspaper game> (2) : any activity undertaken or regarded as a contest involving rivalry, strategy, or struggle <the dating game> <the game of politics>; also : the course or period of such an activity <got into aviation early in the game> (3) : area of expertise : specialty 3 <comedy is not my game>

4

a (1) : animals under pursuit or taken in hunting; especially : wild animals hunted for sport or food (2) : the flesh of game animals

b archaic : pluck

c : a target or object especially of ridicule or attack —often used in the phrase fair game

— game·like \-līk\ adjective

Examples of GAME

1. poker and other gambling games
2. She scored a goal to tie the game.
3. We played a few games of chess.
4. That was a good game!
5. She won the first two games, but lost the set and the match.
6. children playing at their games
7. They are known to play a very rough game.
8. She has a strong all-around game.
9. She needs to improve her game if she wants to win the championship.
10. a football team with a strong running game

Origin of GAME

Middle English, from Old English gamen; akin to Old High German gaman amusement

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to GAME

Synonyms

bout, competition, contest, event, match, matchup, meet, sweepstakes (also sweep-stake), tournament, tourney

Antonyms

earnest

Related Words

athletics, sport; battle, conflict, scrimmage, skirmish, struggle, tug-of-war, tussle; championship, national(s); final, nightcap, play-off, semifinal; derby, field day, gymkhana, open, outing; biathlon, decathlon, heptathlon, pentathlon, triathlon; marathon, race, ultramarathon; heat, round, run, set; rally, volley; round-robin, rubber, runoff, sudden death; dead heat, photo finish, seesaw; classic

Near Antonyms

earnestness, gravity, seriousness, soberness, sobriety, solemnity

See Synonym Discussion at fun

Other Game Terms

bezique, carom, convention, crap, euchre, gambit, monte, parlay, tierce

Rhymes with GAME

aim, blame, came, claim, dame, fame, flame, frame, hame, kame, lame, maim, name, same, shame, tame, wame

²game

verb

gamedgam·ing

Definition of GAME

intransitive verb

: to play for a stake

transitive verb

1

archaic : to lose or squander by gambling

2

: to take dishonest advantage of : cheat <game the tax system>

First Known Use of GAME

1512

³game

adjective

Definition of GAME

1

a : having or showing a resolute unyielding spirit

b : willing or ready to proceed <were game for anything>

2

: of or relating to game <game laws>

— game·ly adverb

— game·ness noun

First Known Use of GAME

1610

⁴game

adjective

Definition of GAME

: lame <a game leg>

Origin of GAME

origin unknown

First Known Use: circa 1787