Main Entry:

¹game

Pronunciation:

\ˈgām\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

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

Date:

before 12th century

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 : racket3 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> bplural : 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 barchaic : pluck c: a target or object especially of ridicule or attack —often used in the phrase fair game

synonyms see fun

— game·like \-līk\ adjective