gamesman

[ geymz-muhn ]

noun

, plural games·men.

1. a person who is skilled at manipulating events and circumstances to gain or maintain personal advantage, especially in business or politics.
2. a person who enjoys playing games game of skill.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gamesman¹

First recorded in 1930–35; game ¹ + -s ³ + -man

Example Sentences

Communist-led China turned out to be the global economic system’s biggest beneficiary — and perhaps master gamesman — without embracing democratic values.

From New York Times

Critics said “The Gamesman” was engrossing, if perhaps too sweeping in its generalizations.

From Washington Post

Dr. Maccoby was first widely known for coining another corporate label, “the gamesman.”

From Washington Post

Among presidents, he said, John F. Kennedy was a gamesman, Gerald Ford and Dwight D. Eisenhower were company men, and Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard M. Nixon were jungle fighters.

From Washington Post

Ever the gamesman, Mr. Lasorda didn’t want the A’s to know that.

From Washington Post