gamer

noun

gam·​er ˈgā-mər How to pronounce gamer (audio)
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

Examples of gamer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Samsung is one of many tech companies that have tried to make virtual and augmented reality headsets as pervasive as smartphones and laptops, although such devices are still a niche primarily appealing to early adopters, tech enthusiasts and gamers. Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025 The teamup came on the heels of a March 2024 Zynga and YouGov study that showed, in the case of female gamers, 59% have watched cable channels like Hallmark, Bravo and Lifetime in the past week, and 61% are more likely to say Bravo is their favorite channel. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025 The novel follows Julia Flang, a former gamer who lives with her uncle while working a series of dead-end jobs. Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025 While the app is especially popular among gamers, it can be used for virtually anything else, from book clubs and study groups to niche interests like anime, music, or art. Alex Vance, Parents, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gamer

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gamer was in 1977

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gamer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gamer. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

gamer

noun
gam·​er ˈgā-mər How to pronounce gamer (audio)
1
: a person who plays games and especially video games
2
: a person who is game
especially : an athlete who enjoys competition

More from Merriam-Webster on gamer

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