gunplay

American

[guhn-pley] / ˈgʌnˌpleɪ /

noun

the exchange of gunshots, usually with intent to wound or kill.

gunplay British

/ ˈɡʌnˌpleɪ /

noun

the use of firearms, as by criminals

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of gunplay

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; gun ¹ + play

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Normal” sits exactly in that zone of excessive gunplay punctuated by needle drops and ironic expressions.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

The gunplay is primary though there are some obligatory scenes of martial arts fights.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 22, 2023

That only kills the mystery if those bells and whistles are important to you; it's plain that the gunplay and action choreography are Kim's prioritized co-stars.

From Salon • May 13, 2023

Throughout, Kim masterfully breaks the farcical mood with lean gunplay captured by the cinematographer Nam Hyun-woo’s kinetic use of shaky cam.

From New York Times • Dec. 30, 2022

He had watched the Hawk's gunplay with an awe-stricken face; its speed never failed to amaze him.

From The Passing of Ku Sui by Gilmore, Anthony

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023