game
gb/ɡˈeɪm/ us/ɡˈeɪm/
A1
English
~ 500
játék, meccs, parti, vad, vadhús, játszma, mesterkedés, benne van, bevállalós
NOUN
A1
1
Usage pattern:
to play [a game]
We played a game of chess after dinner.
Vacsora után játszottunk egy sakkpartit.
The football game ended in a tie.
A futballmeccs döntetlennel végződött.
She taught the children a new card game.
They invented a simple game to pass the time.
This game requires at least four players.
Learner examples
We played a game in class.
Az órán játszottunk egy játékot.
That game is very easy.
Az a játék nagyon könnyű.
He won the game yesterday.
I want to play a new game.
This game is fun.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'game' with 'play' as a verb, saying 'I did a game' instead of 'I played a game'.
Meaning
structured play or sport
Collocations
play a game
|win a game
|lose a game
|game rules
|board game
Synonyms
match (Refers to a single contest between opponents, often in sports.)
|
competition (Emphasizes the competitive aspect rather than the fun.)
Antonyms
work (Work is done for duty or earning money, not for play or fun.)
Themes
sports
|entertainment
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
An activity people do for fun or to win, following rules.
An activity or sport with rules that people do for enjoyment or competition.
NOUN
B1
2
The hunters tracked large game through the forest.
A vadászok nagyvadat követtek az erdőben.
Game meat is served in many traditional dishes.
Sok hagyományos fogásban vadhúst szolgálnak fel.
The park is home to various species of game.
Big game hunting is controversial in some countries.
Learner examples
They hunt game in the forest.
Az erdőben vadra vadásznak.
We ate game for dinner.
Vadhúst ettünk vacsorára.
The park has many game animals.
Game is not easy to find here.
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'game' here means 'sport', not realizing it refers to the animals themselves.
Meaning
animals hunted for sport or food
Collocations
game meat
|big game
|game reserve
|game hunting
Synonyms
prey (Focuses on animals being hunted by predators, not necessarily humans.)
Antonyms
livestock (Domesticated animals raised by humans, not hunted in the wild.)
Themes
nature
|food
|animals
|food_drink
Definition
Wild animals that people hunt for food or sport.
Wild animals or birds that are hunted for food or sport.
NOUN
B2
3
játszma
B2
mesterkedés
C1
He's just playing his own game to get promoted.
Csak a saját játszmáját játssza, hogy előléptessék.
Politics is often a dirty game.
A politika gyakran piszkos játszma.
I don't understand her little games at work.
Learner examples
He plays games to get what he wants.
Játszmázik, hogy megkapja, amit akar.
Politics is a hard game.
A politika kemény játszma.
She has her own game at work.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this figurative meaning with actual sports or play activities.
Meaning
plan or trick to get advantage
Collocations
play the game
|political game
|mind games
Synonyms
scheme (Often suggests dishonesty or secret planning.)
|
strategy (More neutral; can be honest or dishonest.)
Antonyms
honesty (Openness and truthfulness without manipulation.)
Themes
business
|social
|communication
|law
Definition
A plan or trick to get what you want, sometimes in a dishonest way.
A plan, scheme, or method used to achieve something, often involving manipulation or deceit.
B2
INFORMAL
4
benne van
B1
bevállalós
B2
Are you game for a hike in the rain?
Benne vagy egy esős túrában?
She's always game to try new foods.
Mindig benne van abban, hogy új ételeket próbáljon ki.
I'm game if you are.
Learner examples
I am game for this trip.
Benne vagyok ebben az utazásban.
She is game to try it.
Benne van abban, hogy kipróbálja.
He is not game today.
Meaning
ready and willing to try
Collocations
game for anything
Synonyms
willing (General readiness; doesn't always imply risk.)
Antonyms
reluctant (Not willing or eager to do something.)
Themes
personality
|emotions
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Ready to try something hard or dangerous.
Willing to try something new, challenging, or risky.
Grammar
Dictionary form
game
IPA
GB/ɡˈeɪm/
US/ɡˈeɪm/
Syllables & stress
game (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (game)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: game
- Comparative: gamer
- Superlative: gamest
Noun
- Base: game
- Plural: games
Word family
Expressions
ahead of the game
1/əhˈɛd əv ðə ɡˈeɪm/
idiom
informal
in a better position than others
To be in a better situation than others because of preparation or advantage.
Examples
- With her savings, she's ahead of the game compared to most people her age.
- Studying early will keep you ahead of the game.
big game
1/bˈɪɡ ɡˈeɪm/
fixed phrase
large hunted wild animals
Large wild animals that people hunt for sport or food.
Examples
- They went on a safari to see big game.
- Big game hunting is banned in this reserve.
fair game
1/fˈɛɹ ɡˈeɪm/
fixed phrase
acceptable target for attack/criticism
Someone or something that it is okay to attack, criticize, or try to get.
Examples
- Celebrities are often considered fair game for gossip magazines.
- Once you enter politics, you're fair game for criticism.
game on
1/ɡˈeɪm ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
informal
competition has started/accepted challenge
Used to say that a competition or challenge has started or been accepted.
Examples
- He accepted my bet—game on!
- The teams are ready. Game on!
play games
1/plˈeɪ ɡˈeɪmz/
idiom
informal
act dishonestly or manipulatively
To act in a tricky way instead of being honest and direct.
Examples
- Stop playing games and tell me the truth.
- I don't have time for people who play games at work.