board game
board game
Pronunciation
board game /bɔːrd ɡeɪm/
board /bɔːrd/
/b/ - voiced bilabial stop
/ɔː/ - open-mid back rounded vowel (as in "four")
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant
/d/ - voiced alveolar stop
game /ɡeɪm/
/ɡ/ - voiced velar stop
/eɪ/ - diphthong (as in "day")
/m/ - voiced bilabial nasal
Word Form Variations
Singular: board game
Plural: board games
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
board game
An indoor game played on a specially marked board, often involving pieces or counters moved or placed according to a set of rules, and typically involving strategy, chance, or both.
Synonyms: tabletop game, parlor game, strategy game
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a specific type of game, but one could consider broader categories like "physical activity" or "outdoor sport" as conceptual opposites in terms of leisure.)
(Informal, often used humorously) A situation or activity that feels rigidly structured, complex, or requires adherence to specific rules, often with a sense of competition or a predetermined outcome.
Synonyms: rigged game, fixed game, charade
Antonyms: free play, spontaneity, improvisation
Examples of Use
Books:
"In the quiet of the study, Professor Plum, in a moment of playful distraction, set up the board game Clue, inviting his guests to unravel the mystery alongside him." (Example from a fictional work inspired by the popularity of the game)
"The enduring appeal of board games is explored in 'The Oxford History of Board Games,' detailing their evolution from ancient pastimes to modern cultural phenomena."
Newspapers:
"Local library to host board game night, encouraging community members of all ages to connect over classic and contemporary titles." (The Daily Chronicle)
"Sales of board games surged during the recent lockdown, as families sought new ways to entertain themselves at home." (The Guardian)
Online Publications:
"Polygon's 'Best Board Games of 2024 So Far' list features innovative new releases and beloved classics that continue to captivate players worldwide." (Polygon.com)
"Reddit's r/boardgames community discusses strategies for Terraforming Mars, a popular board game known for its intricate gameplay and replayability." (Reddit.com, various discussions)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television (documentary): A segment on a history channel documentary might feature archaeologists uncovering ancient board games in Egyptian tombs, discussing their cultural significance. (e.g., "Ancient Civilizations," History Channel)
Podcast: "The Dice Tower" podcast frequently reviews new and old board games, offering in-depth analysis and recommendations to its listeners.
Video Games (inspired by): Digital adaptations of popular board games like Catan or Ticket to Ride are widely available on platforms like Steam and mobile app stores, allowing players to experience the games virtually.
Streaming Services: A show might feature characters playing a board game as a plot device or simply as a background activity to illustrate their downtime or social interactions (e.g., Stranger Things, featuring Dungeons & Dragons).
General Public Discourse:
"My family always gathers around the table for a board game night on Fridays – it's our favorite way to unwind after a long week." (Casual conversation)
"I'm looking for a new board game that's easy to learn but offers a lot of strategic depth. Any recommendations?" (Online forum or social media query)
"Playing board games is a great way to improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills, especially for kids." (Parent-teacher discussion)
10 Quotes Using Board Game
"There are only three forms of high art: the symphony, the illustrated children's book and the board game." - Brian K. Vaughan (Saga, Vol. 3)
"Maybe life is a board game, but I never get to roll the dice." - Tim Wynne-Jones
"Not all activities are equal... Those that involve genuine concentration - studying a musical instrument, playing board games, reading, and dancing - are associated with a lower risk for dementia." - Norman Doidge
"I never go easy on kids when I play board games. The sooner they learn what the consequence of entering a competition is, the better." - Zach Braff
"If you're going to play at all, you're out to win. Baseball, board games, playing Jeopardy, I hate to lose." - Derek Jeter (Facebook post, August 29, 2012)
"The amount of times my wife has rolled her eyes at board games is impossible to count." - Rich Sommer
"You have to start over. That's what they say. But life is not a board game, and losing a loved one is never really 'starting over.'" - Mitch Albom (The First Phone Call From Heaven: A Novel)
"Making a movie in Hollywood is a bit like playing a board game, where you have to throw a six to start." - Nigel Cole
"I do really well in the traditional board games: Backgammon, Checkers." - Chelsea Clinton
"The modern board game renaissance began when designers realized they should make a game end before the fun did." (Anonymous, widely circulated in board gaming communities)
Etymology
The word "board game" is actually quite straightforward in its origins. It's a compound word, meaning it's made up of two simpler words: "board" and "game."
Board: This part refers to the physical "board" that the game is played on. Think of a chessboard, a Monopoly board, or a checkers board. This sense of "board" as a flat piece of material used for a specific purpose (like a table board or a game board) has been in English for a very long time, tracing back to Old English.
Game: This part simply refers to an activity engaged in for amusement, entertainment, or competition. This word also has deep roots in Old English, signifying play or sport.
So, when you put them together, "board game" literally means a "game played on a board."
The first known use of "board game" in English, with the meaning we understand today, appears around the early 19th century. Before that, people would often refer to specific games by their names (like "chess" or "draughts") or use more general terms like "table game" or "game of tables" (which often referred to backgammon-like games).
The term "board game" likely emerged as a convenient and clear way to categorize a growing variety of games that shared the common characteristic of being played on a marked surface. It helped to distinguish them from card games, dice games, or outdoor sports.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Board Game
"It's like a giant board game." (Often used metaphorically to describe a complex situation, strategy, or plan where people are "moving pieces" or "making moves.")
"Life's not a board game." (An idiom used to express that reality is less predictable, more chaotic, or has higher stakes than a structured game.)
"To make a move (on the board)." (While "on the board" specifies the context, "make a move" is a common idiom stemming from board games, meaning to take an action or initiate something.)
"The game is afoot!" (While not directly using "board game," this idiom, popularized by Sherlock Holmes, evokes the start of a strategic pursuit, much like a board game.)
"To be a pawn in someone's board game." (An original phrase, meaning to be a small, easily manipulated piece in someone else's larger scheme or plan.)
"All the pieces are on the board." (Original phrase, meaning all elements or factors necessary for a situation to unfold are present.)
"To clear the board." (Idiom from games, meaning to remove all pieces, often implying starting fresh or ending a phase.)
"To be one move ahead." (A strategic idiom, common in board games like chess, meaning to anticipate and plan for future actions.)
"Playing the long game." (An idiom that implies a strategy that requires patience and foresight, much like complex board games.)
"To be checkmated." (From chess, but widely used to mean being in an inescapable or defeated position.)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of board game from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
