Definition of game
1a (1) : activity engaged in for diversion or amusement : play (2) : the equipment for a gameb : often derisive or mocking jesting : fun, sport make game of a nervous player
2a : a procedure or strategy for gaining an end : tacticb : an illegal or shady scheme or maneuver : racket
3a (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 gameb games plural : organized athleticsc (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
4a (1) : animals under pursuit or taken in hunting; especially : wild animals hunted for sport or food (2) : the flesh of game animalsb archaic : pluckc : a target or object especially of ridicule or attack —often used in the phrase fair game
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Examples of game in a Sentence
poker and other gambling games
She scored a goal to tie the game.
We played a few games of chess.
That was a good game!
She won the first two games, but lost the set and the match.
children playing at their games
They are known to play a very rough game.
She has a strong all-around game.
She needs to improve her game if she wants to win the championship.
a football team with a strong running game
Origin and Etymology of game
Middle English game, gamen “delight, amusement, play, contest, pursuit of animals in sport,” going back to Old English gamen, gomen “amusement, jest, pastime,” going back to Germanic *gamano- (whence Old Saxon & Old High German gaman “amusement,” Old Norse gaman “sport, amusement”), of uncertain origin
First Known Use: before 12th century
Synonym Discussion of game
game
Definition of game
gamed
;gaming
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
Origin and Etymology of game
derivative of 1game
First Known Use: 1512
game
Definition of game
1a : having or showing a resolute unyielding spiritb : willing or ready to proceed were game for anything
2 : of or relating to game game laws
gamely
adverbgameness
nounOrigin and Etymology of game
derivative of 1game (earliest in phrase to die game “to meet death resolutely”)
First Known Use: 1752
Origin and Etymology of game
of obscure origin
First Known Use: circa 1787
GAME Defined for English Language Learners
game
playDefinition of game for English Language Learners
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: a physical or mental activity or contest that has rules and that people do for pleasure
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: a particular occurrence of a game
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: one of the games that are part of a larger contest (such as a tennis match)
GAME Defined for Kids
Definition of game for Students
1 : a contest or sport played according to rules with the players in direct opposition to each other
2 : the manner of playing in a game or contest She has improved her game.
3 : playful activity : something done for amusement The children were happy at their games.
4 : animals hunted for sport or for food
5 : the meat from animals hunted for food
Definition of game for Students
gamer
;gamest
1 : willing or ready to do something I'm game to try a new restaurant.
2 : full of spirit or eagerness She remained game to the end.
3 : relating to or being animals that are hunted the game laws game birds
gamely
adverb … he panted for breath as he stumbled gamely on. — Brian Jacques, RedwallLaw Dictionary
Learn More about game
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See words that rhyme with game Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for game Spanish Central: Translation of game Nglish: Translation of game for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of game for Arabic speakers
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