¹game

noun \ˈgām\

: a physical or mental activity or contest that has rules and that people do for pleasure

: a particular occurrence of a game

: one of the games that are part of a larger contest (such as a tennis match)

Full Definition of GAME

a (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>

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

b : an illegal or shady scheme or maneuver : racket

a (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 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 3 <comedy is not my game>

a (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·like \-līk\ adjective

See game defined for English-language learners

See game defined for kids

Origin of GAME

Middle English, from Old English gamen; akin to Old High German gaman amusement

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to GAME

Synonyms: bout, competition, contest, event, match, matchup, meet, sweepstakes (also sweep-stake), tournament, tourney

Antonyms: earnest

Synonym Discussion of GAME

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>.