game Definition

game¹
noun

1. An amusement or pastime.

Thesaurus: entertainment, amusement, festivity, fun, sport, pastime, recreation, diversion.
2. The equipment used for this, eg a board, cards, dice, etc.
3. A competitive activity with rules, involving some form of skill.
4. An occasion on which individuals or teams compete at such an activity; a match.

Thesaurus: contest, competition, tournament, match.
5. In some sports, eg tennis: a division of a match.
6. An event consisting of competitions in various activities, especially sporting ones.

Example: the Commonwealth games
Form: games
7. colloq, often derog
A type of activity, profession, or business.
Example: the game of politics
8. A person's playing ability or style.

Example: her backhand game
9. derog
An activity undertaken light-heartedly.
Example: War is just a game to him
10a. Certain birds and animals which are killed for sport;
10b. The flesh of such creatures.
11. derog, colloq
A scheme, trick or intention
Example: give the game away
Example: What's your game?

adj gamer, gamest

colloq:
1. Ready and willing to undertake it.

Example: game for a try
Form: game for something (also)
2. old use
Having plenty of fighting spirit; plucky.
Thesaurus: plucky, brave, spirited, hardy, resolute, courageous, spunky, willing, dauntless, intrepid, gutsy (slang); Antonym: cowardly.

verb

intr
gamed, gaming
1. To gamble.

Derivative: gamely
adverb

Bravely, sportingly.

Derivative: gameness
noun

Idiom: be on the game

slang
To be a prostitute.

Idiom: give the game away

To reveal the truth.

Idiom: make game of someone

old use
To make fun of or laugh at them.

Idiom: play the game

To behave fairly.

Idiom: the game is up

The plan or trick has failed or has been found out.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon gamen amusement.

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game²
adj

1. old use
Lame. See also gammy.

Etymology: 18c: perhaps from Irish Gaelic cam crooked.