game
gb/ɡˈeɪm/ us/ɡˈeɪm/
A1
English
~ 500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
structured play or sport
An activity people do for fun or to win, following rules.
Usage pattern:
to play [a game]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'game' with 'play' as a verb, saying 'I did a game' instead of 'I played a 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.)
Collocations
play a game
|win a game
|lose a game
|game rules
|board game
Themes
sports
|entertainment
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We played a game of chess after dinner.
- The football game ended in a tie.
- 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.
- That game is very easy.
- He won the game yesterday.
- I want to play a new game.
- This game is fun.
Noun
B1
entity
2
animals hunted for sport or food
Wild animals that people hunt for food or sport.
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'game' here means 'sport', not realizing it refers to the animals themselves.
Synonyms
prey (Focuses on animals being hunted by predators, not necessarily humans.)
Antonyms
livestock (Domesticated animals raised by humans, not hunted in the wild.)
Collocations
game meat
|big game
|game reserve
|game hunting
Themes
nature
|food
|animals
|food_drink
Examples
- The hunters tracked large game through the forest.
- Game meat is served in many traditional dishes.
- 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.
- We ate game for dinner.
- The park has many game animals.
- Game is not easy to find here.
Noun
B2
entity
3
plan or trick to get advantage
A plan or trick to get what you want, sometimes in a dishonest way.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this figurative meaning with actual sports or play activities.
Synonyms
scheme (Often suggests dishonesty or secret planning.)
|
strategy (More neutral; can be honest or dishonest.)
Antonyms
honesty (Openness and truthfulness without manipulation.)
Collocations
play the game
|political game
|mind games
Themes
business
|social
|communication
|law
Examples
- He's just playing his own game to get promoted.
- Politics is often a dirty game.
- I don't understand her little games at work.
Learner examples
- He plays games to get what he wants.
- Politics is a hard game.
- She has her own game at work.
adjective
informal
B2
property
4
ready and willing to try
Ready to try something hard or dangerous.
Synonyms
willing (General readiness; doesn't always imply risk.)
Antonyms
reluctant (Not willing or eager to do something.)
Collocations
game for anything
Themes
personality
|emotions
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Are you game for a hike in the rain?
- She's always game to try new foods.
- I'm game if you are.
Learner examples
- I am game for this trip.
- She is game to try it.
- He is not game today.
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.