Gamecraft

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Skill in the strategy and tactics of playing a game or games, as opposed to the physical skills of strength, dexterity, accuracy, etc. uncountable

    "It is true that now and again, but very seldom, what I should call honest gamecraft like “bowling with the head” may be pursued dangerously near to downright cheating."

  2. 2
    Artistry in the organization and elements used to design a game or storyline. uncountable

    "Using Gadamer's game terminology, the kind of artistry that Sayers describes is a form of gamecraft, wherein the artist is able to draw us into the “play” of the poem, film, novel, or play."

  3. 3
    Skill and knowledge about hunting and managing game. uncountable

    "While the woodcock and wilson's snipe are fated to disappear as civilization robs them of their restricted feeding-grounds, Bob White, if protected by the enforcement of judicious game laws, will thrive in the midst of cultivated lands, and will continue to test the gamecraft and marksmanship of future generations."

  4. 4
    A type of dominance competition practiced by werewolves that focuses on cleverness, wit, and cunning. uncountable

    "There are three primary means of establishing dominance: the facedown, the gamecraft and the duel."

Example

More examples

"It is true that now and again, but very seldom, what I should call honest gamecraft like “bowling with the head” may be pursued dangerously near to downright cheating."

Etymology

From game + -craft.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.