- an amusement or pastime: children's games.
- the material or equipment used in playing certain games: The store started 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: Flag football is a game growing in popularity.
- 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: She's an expert at the game of diplomacy.
- a trick or strategy: They can see through your game.
- something treated lightly or lacking in seriousness; sport: That's enough of your games! When I was young, love was just a game to me.
- wild animals, including birds and fishes, such as those hunted for food or taken for sport or profit: The area is particularly rich in game.
- the flesh of such wild animals, used as food: The cook made a dish of game.
- any object of pursuit, attack, abuse, etc.: The new boy at school seemed to be fair game for practical jokers.
- a business or profession: He's in the real-estate game.
- the ability to attract or charm romantic or sexual partners: He's got no game—hasn't had a date in months.
- fighting spirit; pluck.
- relating to or composed of animals hunted or taken as game, or to their flesh.
- having a fighting spirit; plucky.
- having the required spirit or will (often followed by for or an infinitive): Who's game for a hike through the woods?
- to play games of chance for stakes; gamble.
- to play computer or video games.
- to squander in games of chance (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.
- 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.
- to make fun of; ridicule: It's cruel to make game of the weak and defenseless.
- off one’s game,
- playing badly: You can tell the pitcher's off his game—he's walked three batters in a row.
- not performing as well as usual: The showrunner and her writers are off their game, and episodes this season drag on without the humor and lightness fans had come to expect.
- on one’s game,
- playing well: You need to recruit experienced players who will be on their game coming straight off the bench.
- performing well, or as well as usual: She’s been noticeably sharper and really on her game since she came back from vacation.
- 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.
- to make exaggerated claims or promise extraordinary results: The PR team talks a big game, but revenue for their department has been flat for three years running.
- lame: a game leg.
- 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
- an event consisting of various sporting contests, esp in athletics
- equipment needed for playing certain games
- short for computer game
- style or ability in playing a game
- a scheme, proceeding, etc, practised like a game
- an activity undertaken in a spirit of levity; joke
- wild animals, including birds and fish, hunted for sport, food, or profit
- (as modifier)
- 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)
- work or occupation
- a trick, strategy, or device
- pluck or courage; bravery
- prostitution (esp in the phrase on the game)
- to reveal one's intentions or a secret
- to make fun of; ridicule; mock
- playing badly
- playing well
- to behave fairly or in accordance with rules
- there is no longer a chance of success
- full of fighting spirit; plucky; brave
- extremely brave; indomitable
- prepared or ready; willing
- to play games of chance for money, stakes, etc; gamble
- a less common word for lame 1 game leg
