n.
Pronunciation: ' g ā m
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English gamen; akin to Old High German gaman amusement
Date: before 12th century
1 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>
2 a : a procedure or strategy for gaining an end : TACTIC b : an illegal or shady scheme or maneuver : RACKET
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
synonyms see FUN
– game · like \ -l ī k \ adjective