game

[ geym ]

/ geɪm /

noun

an amusement or pastime: children's games.

the material or equipment used in playing certain games: a store selling toys and games.

a competitive activity involving skill, chance, or endurance on the part of two or more persons who play according to a set of rules, usually for their own amusement or for that of spectators.

a single occasion of such an activity, or a definite portion of one: the final game of the season; a rubber of three games at bridge.

the number of points required to win a game.

the score at a particular stage in a game: With five minutes to play, the game was 7 to 0.

a particular manner or style of playing a game: Her game of chess is improving.

anything resembling a game, as in requiring skill, endurance, or adherence to rules: the game of diplomacy.

a trick or strategy: to see through someone's game.

fun; sport of any kind; joke: That's about enough of your games.

wild animals, including birds and fishes, such as are hunted for food or taken for sport or profit.

the flesh of such wild animals or other game, used as food: a dish of game.

any object of pursuit, attack, abuse, etc.: The new boy at school seemed to be fair game for practical jokers.

Informal. a business or profession: He's in the real-estate game.

Archaic. fighting spirit; pluck.

adjective, gam·er, gam·est.

pertaining to or composed of animals hunted or taken as game or to their flesh.

having a fighting spirit; plucky.

Informal. having the required spirit or will (often followed by for or an infinitive): Who's game for a hike through the woods?

verb (used without object), gamed, gam·ing.

to play games of chance for stakes; gamble.

to play computer or video games.

verb (used with object), gamed, gam·ing.

to squander in gaming (usually followed by away).

to manipulate to one's advantage, especially by trickery; attempt to take advantage of: The policy is flawed and many people try to game the system.

Idioms for game

die game,

to die after a brave struggle.
to remain steadfast or in good spirits at the moment of defeat: He knew that as a candidate he didn't have a chance in the world, but he campaigned anyway and died game.

make game of, to make fun of; ridicule: to make game of the weak and defenseless.

off (or on) one’s game,

Sports. playing very badly (or very well).
not functioning (or functioning) at one’s usual level: She’s been off her game since she came back from vacation.

play games, to act in an evasive, deceitful, manipulative, or trifling manner in dealing with others: Don't play games with me—I want to know if you love me or not!

play the game, Informal.

to act or play in accordance with the rules.
to act honorably or justly: We naively assumed that our allies would continue to play the game.

Origin of game

before 1000; Middle English gamen, Old English gaman; cognate with Old High German gaman glee

SYNONYMS FOR game

3 sport, contest, competition.

9 scheme, artifice, stratagem, plan, plot, venture.

11, 13 prey, quarry.

17 brave, bold, intrepid, dauntless, fearless.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR game ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM game

game·less, adjective game·like, adjective game·ness, noun un·game·like, adjective

Words nearby game

gambol, gambrel, gambrel roof, gambrinus, gambusia, game, game bird, game chips, game face, game fish, game fowl

British Dictionary definitions for play games (1 of 2)

game ¹

/ (ɡeɪm) /

noun

an amusement or pastime; diversion

a contest with rules, the result being determined by skill, strength, or chance

a single period of play in such a contest, sport, etc

the score needed to win a contest

a single contest in a series; match

(plural; often capital) an event consisting of various sporting contests, esp in athletics Olympic Games; Highland Games

equipment needed for playing certain games

short for computer game

style or ability in playing a game he is a keen player but his game is not good

a scheme, proceeding, etc, practised like a game the game of politics

an activity undertaken in a spirit of levity; joke marriage is just a game to him

wild animals, including birds and fish, hunted for sport, food, or profit
(as modifier)game laws

the flesh of such animals, used as food: generally taken not to include fish

an object of pursuit; quarry; prey (esp in the phrase fair game)

informal work or occupation

informal a trick, strategy, or device I can see through your little game

obsolete pluck or courage; bravery

slang, mainly British prostitution (esp in the phrase on the game)

give the game away to reveal one's intentions or a secret

make game of or make a game of to make fun of; ridicule; mock

off one's game playing badly

on one's game playing well

play the game to behave fairly or in accordance with rules

the game is up there is no longer a chance of success

adjective

informal full of fighting spirit; plucky; brave

game as Ned Kelly or as game as Ned Kelly Australian informal extremely brave; indomitable

(usually foll by for) informal prepared or ready; willing I'm game for a try

verb

(intr) to play games of chance for money, stakes, etc; gamble

Derived forms of game

gamelike, adjective

Word Origin for game

Old English gamen; related to Old Norse gaman, Old High German gaman amusement

British Dictionary definitions for play games (2 of 2)

game ²

/ (ɡeɪm) /

adjective

a less common word for lame 1 game leg

Word Origin for game

C18: probably from Irish cam crooked

Idioms and Phrases with play games (1 of 2)

play games

Be evasive or deceptive, as in Don't play games with me—I want an honest answer. Also see play the game.

Idioms and Phrases with play games (2 of 2)

game

In addition to the idioms beginning with game

game is not worth the candle, the
game is up, the
game that two can play, that's a

also see:

ahead of the game
at this stage (of the game)
badger game
beat someone at his or her own game
call someone's bluff (game)
confidence game
end game
fair game
fun and games

give away (the game)losing battle (game)name of the gameonly game in townplay a waiting gameplay gamesplay the gamewaiting gamewhole new ball game.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

game

noun

adjective, gam·er, gam·est.

verb (used without object), gamed, gam·ing.

verb (used with object), gamed, gam·ing.

Idioms for game

Origin of game

SYNONYMS FOR game

OTHER WORDS FROM game

Words nearby game

British Dictionary definitions for play games (1 of 2)

noun

adjective

verb

Derived forms of game

Word Origin for game

British Dictionary definitions for play games (2 of 2)

adjective

Word Origin for game

Idioms and Phrases with play games (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with play games (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

game

noun

adjective, gam·er, gam·est.

verb (used without object), gamed, gam·ing.

verb (used with object), gamed, gam·ing.

Idioms for game

Origin of game

SYNONYMS FOR game

OTHER WORDS FROM game

Words nearby game

Words related to play games

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for play games (1 of 2)

noun

adjective

verb

Derived forms of game

Word Origin for game

British Dictionary definitions for play games (2 of 2)

adjective

Word Origin for game

Idioms and Phrases with play games (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with play games (2 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for play games (1 of 2)