First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
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
1
2
3
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>
4
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
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of GAME
Middle English, from Old English gamen; akin to Old High German gaman amusement
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>.
2game
verb
gamedgam·ing
Definition of GAME
intransitive verb
: to play for a stake
transitive verb
1
archaic : to lose or squander by gambling
2
: to take dishonest advantage of : cheat <game the tax system>
First Known Use of GAME
1512
3game
adjective
Definition of GAME
1
a : having or showing a resolute unyielding spirit b : willing or ready to proceed <were game for anything>
2
: of or relating to game <game laws>
— game·ly adverb
— game·ness noun
First Known Use of GAME
1610
4game
adjective
GAMED Defined for Kids
1game
noun \ˈgām\
Definition of GAME for Kids
1
: a contest or sport played according to rules with the players in direct opposition to each other
2
: the manner of playing in a game or contest <She has improved her game.>
3
: playful activity : something done for amusement <The children were happy at their games.>
4
: animals hunted for sport or for food
5
: the meat from animals hunted for food
2game
adjective
gam·ergam·est
Definition of GAME for Kids
1
: willing or ready to do something <I'm game to try a new restaurant.>
2
: full of spirit or eagerness <She remained game to the end.>
3
: relating to or being animals that are hunted <the game laws> <game birds>
— game·ly adverb <… he panted for breath as he stumbled gamely on. — Brian Jacques, Redwall>
Learn More About GAME
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: game animalPrevious Word in the Dictionary: gambusiaAll Words Near: game
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up game? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).