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computer game

computer game

28 2.0
A game played on a computer for fun or competition
  • noun
  • /kəmˈpjuːtər ɡeɪm/
translation icon : videojuego
  • I enjoy playing computer games with my friends on weekends.
  • playing computer games
  • computer games for girls
  • video and computer games

Almost every chess master now studies computer games for inspiration like that.

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Examples

  • I believe the convergence of electronic fiction and computer games should be taken seriously indeed.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Maier stated that this computer game has been the only successful computer game featuring a female character.

    Academic text (2004)
  • This was one of the most beautiful computer games I played in recent years.

  • We ended up playing computer games which was pretty cool.

  • Dad, come here, I wanna show you something, I made a computer game on your computer.

  • Students enjoyed video and computer games, along with a variety of other activities.

    Academic text (2004)
  • I finished my university, and I'm just playing computer games right now.

  • Finally, there is an additional educational benefit for girls who play computer games that support collaborative use.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Narrator 1: Later that night, Kenny is playing a computer game at home.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Here's my favorite computer game: Angry Nerds.

Synonyms

game
vscomputer game
1.0

An activity with rules that people play for fun or competition

is played through interactive software on a computer rather than any activity
video game
vscomputer game
277 1.0

A game you play by controlling pictures on a screen

is played specifically on a computer rather than on any screen device
minigame
vscomputer game
  • Jargon
2 3.4

A small simple game inside a larger video game or app

is a full standalone experience rather than a tiny part of another title

How Complex

computer game
28 2.0
child's game
3 1.0
minigame
  • Jargon
2 3.4

Surface Forms

computer game singular

Morphology

computer + game

The meaning 'a game played using a computer' is directly and compositionally derived from the constituents 'computer' (an electronic device) and 'game' (a recreational contest). This noun+noun compounding is a transparent, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The phrase computer game shows a simple picture: computer + game means a game you 'play' on a computer rather than with cards or on a board. So, the name tells you it is a game done on a computer for 'fun' or 'competition'.