gamer

noun gam·er \ ˈgā-mər \

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

Cooper Rush is proving to be a gamer early on in his Dallas Cowboys career.

— drew davison, star-telegram, "Cooper Rush impresses on down night for Cowboys QBs," 13 Aug. 2017
Ants and gamers The Washington Post Ben Guarino crafted a very engaging look at the successful genetic manipulation of ants.

— The Hive, "Fire, Fury and Championship Bowling in Guam," 11 Aug. 2017
This is the way Saddam Hussein used to talk, or the way some 12-year old gamer crows after reaching Level 900 of Nuclear Zombies In Heat.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "This Is What You Voted For," 8 Aug. 2017
Seth Fischer, whose hedge fund Oasis Management has invested in Nintendo since 2013, said the Switch will bring all of its best software and hardware into a single platform, giving gamers more reasons to buy the hybrid.

— yuji nakamura, The Seattle Times, "Nintendo expected to merge devices into single hybrid called Switch," 23 July 2017
Comic-Con may not be the mecca of video games that conventions such as the Electronic Entertainment Expo are, but there’s still a solid selection for gamers looking to try out new titles or platforms.

— lyndsay winkley, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Comic-Con 2017: Five video games you'll want to play," 20 July 2017
One YouTube gamer decided to put that thought to an extreme test in simulating 100 seasons of the video game, and the results are certainly unexpected.

— SI.com, "VIDEO: YouTuber Simulates 100 Seasons of Football Manager and Gets Ridiculous Results," 19 July 2017
Gamers were also gabbing a little less, over-performing by 56 percent compared with last year’s 59 percent.

— vanityfair.com, "Your Jokes About Ed Sheeran Only Make Game of Thrones Stronger," 17 July 2017
Gamers were also gabbing a little less, over-performing by 56 percent compared with last year’s 59 percent.

— laura bradley, HWD, "Your Jokes About Ed Sheeran Only Make Game of Thrones Stronger," 17 July 2017

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

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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.