gamer

noun gam·er \ ˈgā-mər \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Definition of gamer

1 : a player who is game; especially : an athlete who relishes competition

2 : a person who plays games; especially : a person who regularly plays computer or video games

See gamer defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of gamer from the Web

But other gamers say what started out as a fun diversion eventually became a full-fledged obsession.

— amelia nierenberg, BostonGlobe.com, "Diagnosis of ‘gaming disorder’ sparks debate," 4 July 2018
Armed with a new ideology, Owens quickly found a new home, alongside millennials, gays and gamers preaching right-wing politics in online videos.

— NBC News, "YouTube tested, Trump approved: How Candace Owens suddenly became the loudest voice on the far right," 23 June 2018
Speaking of undercover, 25-year-old Brett Robinson and 21-year-old Haleigh Broucher both pick season 16 winner and former police officer Derrick Levasseur as their favorite gamer.

— brian porreca, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Big Brother' Reveals New Houseguests for Season 20," 18 June 2018
One Twitch feature lets gamers stream the official G League video feed, but overlay their own play-by-play.

— benny evangelista, SFChronicle.com, "Online video game powerhouse Twitch the ‘future of entertainment’," 17 June 2018
Brace yourself to watch Iniesta, David Silva, and Isco paper-cut all comers to death with their mesmeric passing patterns in a style previously accomplished only by star FIFA 18 gamers on Twitch.

— roger bennett, GQ, "Un-American Football: Your Guide to Enjoying This Yankee-Free World Cup," 12 June 2018
Authorities were called out to the home of 28-year-old Andrew Finch following a dispute between online gamers that prompted the fake 911 call to his address.

— erika pesantes, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Swatting hoax targets #NeverAgain activists," 8 June 2018
Swatting is usually done by computer hackers, gamers or people skilled in online and smartphone communications as a prank.

— kevin conlon, CNN, "The home of Parkland survivor David Hogg was swatted this morning," 5 June 2018
But this season at its start was packed with strategists and gamers.

— stephen fishbach, PEOPLE.com, "Wendell Holland Wins Survivor After First-Ever Tie Vote," 23 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of gamer

in sense 1, from ³game + ²-er; in sense 2 going back to Middle English, from game, gamen ¹game + -er ²-er

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1977

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

GAMER Defined for English Language Learners

gamer

noun

Definition of gamer for English Language Learners

: a person who plays games and especially video or computer games
: a person who is game; especially : an athlete who tries very hard to win games, competitions, etc.