game

noun

\ˈgām

Definition of game

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a(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

2a : a procedure or strategy for gaining an end : tactic

b : 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 game

b games 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 sense 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 animals

b archaic : pluck

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

game

verb

gamed; gaming

Definition of game (Entry 2 of 4)

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

game

adjective (1)

Definition of game (Entry 3 of 4)

1a : 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

adjective (2)

Definition of game (Entry 4 of 4)

: lame a game leg

Other Words from game Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about game

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Other Words from game

Noun

gamelike \ˈgām-līk

\ adjective

Adjective (1)

gamely adverb

gameness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for game

Noun

fun, jest, sport, game, play mean action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter. fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose. played cards just for fun jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing. hurt by remarks said only in jest sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone. teasing begun in sport led to anger game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun. made game of their poor relations play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief. pretended to strangle his brother in play

Examples of game in a Sentence

Noun

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

First Known Use of game

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1512, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Adjective (1)

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective (2)

circa 1787, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for game

Noun

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

Verb

derivative of game entry 1

Adjective (1)

derivative of game entry 1 (earliest in phrase to die game "to meet death resolutely")

Adjective (2)

of obscure origin

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