game

An activity people do for fun, often following rules and trying to win.

• Let's play a game.
• The children invented a new game.
• Who won the card game last night?

Common phrases: play a game, board game, card game, strategy game

Something people do for enjoyment, which may have no fixed rules or winner.

• The children made a game of jumping over puddles.
• We played silly games while waiting for the bus.
• For the puppy, chasing leaves was a game.

How to use it: make a game of something (We made a game of sorting the laundry.)

Similar words: amusement, pastime

Common phrases: fun and game, silly game, make a game

Wild birds and animals hunted for food, or their meat.

• They hunt game in the forest.
• The restaurant serves local game.
• Game birds are common on these hills.

Common phrases: hunt game, wild game, game birds, game meat

To spend time playing games, especially on a computer or console.

• We game online after school.
• He gamed all evening with his friends.
• Do you prefer gaming on a computer or a console?

How to use it: game with someone (I game with my friends on weekends.)

Similar words: play video games

Common phrases: game online, game with friends, game all night

To use gaps in rules to gain an unfair advantage.

• They tried to game the system.
• The company gamed the rankings with fake reviews.
• New rules prevent traders from gaming the market.

Similar words: manipulate, exploit

Common phrases: game the system, game the rules, game the rankings