Ask the Editor
Question
What is the difference between games and sports?
—
Mahi
,
India
Answer
Games and sports are very similar: a game is a physical or mental activity or contest that has rules and that people do for pleasure. A sport is a contest or game in which people do certain physical activities according to a specific set of rules and compete against each other.
The difference is subtle. A game is any mental or physical activity with rules that is done for fun, such as physical activities like baseball and soccer, or board games such as chess and Monopoly, or card games, or electronic games (like apps), or video games. Sports are specific physical activities one can compete in such as baseball, soccer, football, field hockey, running, cycling, rock climbing, swimming, diving, race car driving, kayaking, or weight lifting. There are many more games and sports than what is listed here. Below are some examples of 'game' and 'sport' in sentences:
- We love playing board games together as a family on weekends.
- The kids are outside playing a game with their dolls.
- She loves the game Hide and Seek.
- Jeopardy is the best game show on TV.
- Do you play any sports at school?
- They signed their daughter up for soccer because she said she wanted to play a new sport.
- The newspaper dedicated two pages to sports (football, baseball, and basketball) this week.
- Baseball is a team sport.
- Tennis is her favorite sport.
A game can also be a specific instance of a sporting event. Below are some examples:
- He plays football for his high school team and has a big game this weekend. [Here, 'game' is referring to a single competition of the sport football.]
- The (hockey/soccer/baseball, etc.) game was on TV last night.
- We wont be able to make it to the party because she has a game that day.
I hope this helps. For more posts about words, idioms, grammar, and usage, like us onFacebookand follow us onTwitter!
Don't forget tosubscribeto our Word of the Day e-mails!
Clickhereto try one of our vocabulary quizzes before you go!
You can read more articles in the archive.
FAQs
Games and sports are very similar: a game is a physical or mental activity or contest that has rules and that people do for pleasure. A sport is a contest or game in which people do certain physical activities according to a specific set of rules and compete against each other.
What is the difference between sports and games? ›
A sport is a physical activity carried out under an agreed set of rules, with a recreational purpose: for competition or self-enjoyment or a combination of these. A game is a recreational activity involving one or more players, defined by a goal that the players try to reach, and some set of rules to play it.
Is football a game or sport? ›
Football is the world's most popular ball game in numbers of participants and spectators. Simple in its principal rules and essential equipment, the sport can be played almost anywhere, from official football playing fields (pitches) to gymnasiums, streets, school playgrounds, parks, or beaches.
What is sports English dictionary? ›
a game, competition, or activity needing physical effort and skill that is played or done according to rules, for enjoyment and/or as a job: Football, basketball, and hockey are all team sports. I enjoy winter sports like skiing and skating.
What is the difference between sport and sports meaning? ›
The singular term "sport" is used in most English dialects to describe the overall concept (e.g. "children taking part in sport"), with "sports" used to describe multiple activities (e.g. "football and rugby are the most popular sports in England"). American English uses "sports" for both terms.
Is golf a game or a sport? ›
Golf meets the definition of sport and golfers that of athlete by being competitive. “Golf is a sport. Many people enjoy it on a solely social level and that's fine. But, first and foremost, it's a sport where players compete against the course and each other, trying to better previous…
Is basketball a game or sport? ›
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world and one of the most widely viewed. It is a team sport that involves two teams of five active players each trying to score points against one another by throwing a ball through a 300 cm (10 feet) high hoop (the 'basket') under organised rules.
Is pool a sport or game? ›
In pool or snooker both your mental and physical ability to execute a good pot or a safety shot can dramatically change the outcome of the game. This is entirely different than chess, which is a game, where you can only affect your opponent's play with your mental ability. So pool is definitely a sport.
What is good sport dictionary? ›
: a person who is not rude or angry about losing. 2. informal + old-fashioned : someone who is kind or generous. Be a good sport and let him play with you.
Is darts a sport or a game? ›
Darts or dart-throwing is a competitive sport in which two or more players bare-handedly throw small sharp-pointed projectiles known as darts at a round target known as a dartboard. Separate men's & women's championship although no restrictions on women competing against men.
The International Chess Federation serves as the governing body of the sport of chess, and it regulates all international chess competitions. Additionally, the International Olympic Committee considers chess to be a sport.
What is the full meaning of game? ›
A game is an activity or sport usually involving skill, knowledge, or chance, in which you follow fixed rules and try to win against an opponent or to solve a puzzle.
Why do Americans say sports instead of sport? ›
The US version is more logical. Math is an abreviation of mathematics in the same way that gym is an abreviation of gymnastics. There is no obvious reason for these words being plural. Sports, on the other hand, is obviously plural because it refers to more than one sport.
Can games be considered a sport? ›
No! Many people argue that being an athlete means exerting yourself physically. They say esports don't require much exercise. Most video games are played sitting down, sometimes for hours at a time.
Is chess a sport or game? ›
Yes, chess is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a sport. More than 100 countries recognize Chess as a sport as well.
Is sport more than just a game? ›
Sport brings people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds together by building lifetime relationships and teaching lessons in goal setting, time management, teamwork, leadership and how to manage emotions. Whether an athlete, coach, official, supporter or fan, sport can fuel passion. Sport. It's More Than A Game.
