game changer

noun

variants: or game-changer

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of game changer

: a newly introduced element or factor that changes an existing situation or activity in a significant way

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game-changing

adjective

- a game-changing discovery

Recent Examples of game changer from the Web

For these women, Sparano’s trial, called TAILORx, is a game changer.

— alice park, Time, "More Women With Breast Cancer May Soon Be Skipping Chemo. Here’s Why," 7 June 2018
The Reds possess no real game changer as Danny Ings and Dominic Solanke are expected to take the bench, both of whom have combined for just two goals this season.

— SI.com, "Why Liverpool's Champions League Final Squad Is Capable of Making it Number 6 in Kiev," 24 May 2018
If that assumption is wrong, that's potentially a game changer because if that cone opens up, Special Agent Astarita would not be the only agent within that cone,'' defense lawyer David Angeli said.

— maxine bernstein, OregonLive.com, "Lawyers for indicted FBI agent claim government expert's analysis based on errors in math," 11 May 2018
The hydrogel technique could be a game changer for art conservationists.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Tape-Removing Gel May Be a Game Changer for Art Restoration," 24 May 2018
This is a game changer for women and parents considering a run for office.

— refinery29.com, "Mothers Can Use Campaign Funds To Pay For Childcare, FEC Rules," 10 May 2018
Henry’s first bite of her pork tamale pie was a game changer.

— ac shilton, Outside Online, "Stop Wasting Money on Prepackaged Backpacking Food," 1 May 2018
For players like Mowell, the discovery that the Hoosier Lottery has been ending games early is a game changer.

— kaitlin lange, Indianapolis Star, "Hoosier Lottery often pulls plug on high-dollar scratch-off games before all prizes can be won," 5 Apr. 2018
When the vote finally came, a mother’s letter and a last-minute defection were game changers so unexpected that for a few minutes history reads like outlandish fiction.

— marjorie kehe, The Christian Science Monitor, "'The Woman's Hour' wonderfully recalls the furious fight to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment," 14 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'game changer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of game changer

1993

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Financial Definition of GAME CHANGER

game changer

noun

What It Is

A game changer is a person or thing that radically changes an industry or a company.

How It Works

For instance, when Apple introduced the iPod, the product was a game changer. It revolutionized the way in which music was purchased and consumed. Though other companies had already launched MP3 players, Apple's product had a more attractive design, a big marketing budget, and, most important, a music platform (iTunes) that virtually dictated how music would be distributed going forward.

Why It Matters

Game changers are disruptive. They are sometimes crazy ideas. But if they work, they can be wildly lucrative. Unfortunately, they don't come along often.

Source: Investing Answers