Gaming Words List

Explore the gamer’s dictionary on GameTree.me! No matter your experience, understanding gaming terms helps you fit into the community.

From “GG” to new esports slang, find everything here. Learn keywords and improve how you communicate with other gamers.

After this, you won’t feel lost in conversations. Start now!

A

• AAA – High-budget, high-quality games developed by major studios.
• ADS (Aim Down Sights) – An aiming method that zooms in for better accuracy using a weapon’s sights.
• AFK (Away From Keyboard) – Indicates a player is inactive and away from their device.
• Aggro – Refers to how in-game enemies detect and attack the player.
• Aim Assist – A feature that helps players aim by slightly adjusting crosshairs toward targets.
• Alt – An alternative game mode or a different version of a game.
• AoE (Area of Effect) – Describes attacks that hit a specific area instead of a single target.
• APM (Actions Per Minute) – Measures how many actions a player performs, often in fast-paced or strategy games.
• ARPG (Action Role-Playing Game) – An RPG sub-genre focused on combat, exploration, and character progression.

B

• Backseat Gaming – When a person not playing gives unwanted advice or directions to the player. Players often feel annoyed when others suggest strategies, highlight mistakes, or criticize choices.
• Balance – The fair distribution of power, abilities, or resources in a game to ensure equal chances for all players.
• Biome – A specific type of environment or terrain in a game, such as a jungle, desert, or snowy mountain.
• BIS (Best in Slot) – The best item or gear a player can use, usually offering the highest stats or performance.
• BM (Bad Manners) – A term for rude or disrespectful behavior in a game, such as taunting, insulting, or trying to upset others.
• BOT (Robot) – A computer-controlled player or character used for testing, training, or as an opponent in a game.
• BRB (Be Right Back) – An online chat phrase that tells others the player will be away for a short time.
• BTW (By the Way) – A widely used abbreviation in gaming and online chats to add an extra comment unrelated to the conversation.
• Bubble – A term for the storm or force field inside a game.
• Buff – A positive effect or enhancement applied to a game’s character, item, or ability.
• Bullet Sponge – An opponent that needs many hits to lose is hard to defeat.
• Bush Campers – Players hide beneath bushes to stay hidden in games.

C

• Camping – When a player stays in one spot for a long time to gain an advantage over others.
• Chad – A confident, loud, and intense male gamer.
• Chalked – A gaming slang meaning a game or situation is over, lost, or beyond saving.
• Checkpoint – A point in a game where progress saves, allowing players to restart from that spot if they die or exit.
• Cheese – A tactic that feels unfair or cheap but is still effective.
• Clan – Players form a team and often play together in multiplayer games to compete or achieve goals.
• Clutch – A great or skillful move that helps a player or team win.
• Combo – A quick sequence of attacks or actions that deal extra damage or provide an advantage.
• Co-op Gameplay – Players join forces to achieve the same goal.
• CPU (Central Processing Unit) – The main computer component that runs a game.
• Crack – A verb meaning to break an enemy’s shield in a game.
• Crit (Critical Hit) – A powerful attack that deals extra damage.
• Cross-Platform – This allows players to compete with others on devices such as PC, console, or mobile.
• CTD (Crash To Desktop) – When a game suddenly closes and returns the player to the desktop.
• CTF (Capture the Flag) – A game mode where teams try to take the opposing team’s flag and return it to their base.

D

• DC (Disconnect) – happens when a player leaves or gets removed from the game.
• DDOS (Distributed Denial of Service) – An attack that floods an online service with traffic to shut it down.
• Debuff – is a harmful effect that weakens a game’s character, item, or ability.
• Devs – Stands for “Developers,” the people who build and manage the game.
• Diff (Difference) – An apparent skill or performance gap exists between players or teams.
• DLC (Downloadable Content) – Players can buy or download extra game content.
• DM (Deathmatch) – Players try to get the highest number of kills in this game mode.
• DPS (Damage per second) – Measures how much damage a character or ability deals over time.
• Drop (Loot) – Items or rewards that enemies leave behind or players find in the game.

E

• Easter egg – A secret feature or message developers hide in a game to surprise players.
• Elo – A competitive gaming system that measures and ranks player skills. It calculates a player’s level based on match results and opponent ratings.
• EZ (Easy) –It refers to an easy game or task.

F

• F2P (Free-to-Play) – Games that players can access without paying.
• Farming – Repeating the same task or defeating enemies multiple times to gather resources, experience, or rewards.
• FF (Forfeit) – A term used when a player or team surrenders before a match officially ends, often in multiplayer games when victory seems impossible.
• FFA (Free-For-All) – A game mode where every player competes individually against all others.
• First Blood – The first kill in a multiplayer game, often considered a critical moment that can influence the match.
• Flaming – Insulting or attacking other players in a game or online, leading to a toxic environment.
• FN (Fortnite) – A popular game that offers battle royale gameplay where players compete for the last standing.
• FPS (First-Person Shooter) – A game genre where players see from the main character’s perspective and use weapons to fight.
• FPS (Frames Per Second) – The number of visual frames displayed per second in a game.

G

• GaaS (Games as a Service) – Developers keep adding new content to games in an ongoing model. Monetization often comes through subscriptions or microtransactions.
• Gank – Attacking an unaware player or team in a multiplayer game to gain an advantage or disrupt their strategy.
• GG (Good Game) – Say “good game” in a polite way after a match.
• GG EZ – Short for “good game, easy.” Used to mock opponents, implying the match was effortless, or the opposing team lacked skill.
• GG no re – Stands for “good game, no rematch.” Players use it to indicate they do not want to play against the same opponents again.
• GGWP (Good Game, Well Played) – A phrase showing respect and sportsmanship after a match, meaning the game was enjoyable and players performed well.
• Gigachad – A highly exaggerated and perfect version of the “Chad” gamer type.
• GLHF (Good Luck, Have Fun) – A phrase used before a match to encourage a fair and enjoyable game.
• GOAT (Greatest of All Time) – describes a player or team considered the best in their field.
• God Mode – A cheat or hack that makes a character invincible, preventing damage or other adverse effects.
• Griefer – A player who intentionally interferes with others’ game or progress.
• Gulag – A mode in some games where eliminated players must fight for a chance to re-enter the main match.
• GWK (Good Work, Keep It Up) – A phrase used in online gaming to encourage or praise a player’s performance.

H

• Hitbox – The unseen area around a game character that detects collisions. It decides if attacks or abilities connect.
• HP (Hit Points) – Represents a character’s health in a game. When HP reaches zero, the character usually dies or gets defeated.
• HUD – A visual interface that displays key information, such as health, ammo, or objectives.
• Hz (Hertz) – Measures a screen’s refresh rate. A higher Hz provides smoother gameplay.

I

• IGL (In-Game Leader) – In gaming terms, the player plans and directs a team’s moves during a match.
• Indie Games – are video games made by independent creators or small teams without financial support from large publishers. They focus on creativity, new ideas, and unique gameplay. These games usually have smaller budgets and can be simple or story-driven and complex.
• IP (Internet Protocol) – This unique number helps identify a device online.

J

• Jump Scare – A horror game technique where something frightening appears suddenly. It often includes a loud sound to startle the player.
• Juke – A sports game move where a player quickly changes direction to evade an opponent.
• Juggle – A fighting game move where a player keeps an opponent in the air by hitting them repeatedly before they can recover.
• Justice – Fighting games use this term for performing a combo or special move with perfect or almost perfect accuracy.
• Joust – A fighting game subgenre where two players on horseback attempt to knock each other off.

K

• K/Di – In gaming, this refers to the ratio of kills to deaths, showing a player’s performance.
• Kick – happens when a player is removed from a game or lobby, usually by a vote or the host.
• Kill steal – occurs when a player defeats an enemy that another player has already weakened, often considered unfair.
• Kiting – involves moving strategically in games like World of Warcraft to control enemies while avoiding attacks.
• Knockback – This effect pushes players or enemies away from the point of impact.
• KO – In gaming, this stands for knockout, meaning a player has been eliminated or defeated.
• KOS – means Kill On Sight, where players attack specific targets immediately without warning.

L

• Ladder or Ranked Mode – A competitive mode where players get ranked based on skill or performance. Winning matches earns points or rewards.
• Lag – A delay in online games caused by slow internet or server issues, making gameplay unresponsive.
• LAN (Local Area Network) – A setup that allows players to connect and play on the same local network.
• LFG (Looking For Group) – When a player searches for others to join their game or team. LFG apps help find missing teammates or create a new squad.
• LFT (Looking For Team) – When a player looks for a team or clan to join.
• LOD (Level of Detail) – A graphics method that changes how detailed 3D models appear based on their distance from the camera. Close objects have more detail, while distant ones use less to improve performance.
• Live Service Games – Games that receive ongoing updates with new content and features after release. They often use microtransactions or subscriptions to maintain player engagement.
• Loot – Items or rewards dropped by defeated enemies or found in the game world, including weapons, armor, and helpful gear.

M

• Matchmaking – Matches players with similar skills or playstyles in online games. It ensures fair and balanced matches.This system is used by popularr games like Fortnite, Overwatch 2, and Apex Legendm.
• Meta – Refers to the most effective strategies, characters, or playstyles in a game at a specific time.
• MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) – A game genre that allows many players to interact in open worlds simultaneously.
• MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) – A type of MMO that focuses on role-playing, character progression, quests, classes, and social features.
• MMR (Matchmaking Rating) – A numerical value used to match players with similar skill levels. Games like Valorant, Overwatch, and League of Legends use MMR for ranked play.
• Mob – A non-player enemy in a game. These hostile characters attack players and may drop loot or rewards when defeated.
• MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) – A game genre where teams compete in a battle arena. Examples include League of Legends and Dota 2.
• Mod – A modification or add-on that changes or improves a game. Mods can range from simple cosmetic updates to major gameplay overhauls.

N

• Nerf – nerf happens when a developer reduces the strength of a weapon, ability, or character in a game.
• Noob – A noob refers to a new or unskilled player who lacks experience.
• NPC (Non-Player Character) – An NPC is a character controlled by the game, not a player.
• NT (Nice Try) – NT is a way to acknowledge an effort, even if unsuccessful.

O

• OG (Original Gangster) – Refers to a long-time member, gaming community, or clan founder.
• OMW (On My Way) – Indicates that a player is heading toward a location or objective in the game.
• OOC (Out of Character) – Used in role-playing games when a player speaks or acts as themselves rather than their in-game character.
• OP (Overpowered) – Describes a game element that is too strong or gives an unfair advantage.
• Opping – Refers to using an overpowered (OP) weapon or ability.
• OTP (One Trick Pony) – Describes a player who only plays one character, strategy, or playstyle, lacking adaptability.

P

• Packet Loss – happens when data packets moving between a player’s device and the game server do not arrive. Lag, delays, or gameplay breaks occur, making actions or movements appear choppy or unresponsive. Severe packet loss greatly impacts gaming.
• Party – A group of players playing together, usually working toward the same goal.
• Patch – A game update that fixes bugs, adds content, or changes gameplay mechanics.
• Ping – Measures how long a device can connect to a game server. A lower ping (e.g., 20ms) means a faster, more responsive connection, while a higher ping (e.g., 200ms) leads to more lag.
• POV (Point of View) – Refers to the perspective from which a game is played or viewed.
• Powergaming – A playstyle where a player focuses on making their character as strong as possible, often ignoring role-playing or immersion.
• PST (Please Send Tell) – A request for a private message in an online game.
• PUG (Pick-Up Group) – A temporary team of players formed for a game or match.
• PvE (Player vs Environment) – Describes gameplay where players fight non-player enemies or monsters.
• PvP (Player vs Player) – Refers to battles between real players in a game.
• PWN – A slang term used to show dominance or victory over an opponent, often in a boastful way.

R

• Ragequit – A player suddenly exits a game due to frustration or anger, often after losing or facing a difficult challenge.
• Raid – A cooperative game mode where multiple players team up to defeat powerful enemies or bosses, such as in Destiny 2.
• Rekt – is a slang term used when a player or team is defeated or outplayed.
• Remaster – An updated version of a game with improved graphics, audio, and sometimes gameplay. It enhances the original while keeping its core experience and making it compatible with newer hardware.
• Respawn – The process of a player re-entering the game after being eliminated.
• RMT (Real Money Trading) – Buying or selling in-game items, currency, or services for real money. Many games prohibit this practice as it disrupts the game’s economy and creates an unfair advantage.
• RNG (Random Number Generator) – A system that determines random outcomes in a game, such as loot drops or critical hits.
• RPG (Role-Playing Game) – A game genre where players assume character roles in a fictional world, focusing on storytelling and character progression.
• RTS (Real-Time Strategy) – A game genre where players manage units and resources in real time to achieve victory.

S

• Sandbox – Games that allow open-world exploration and give players the freedom to create, modify, or interact with the environment.
• Scrim (Scrimmage) – A training game where teams get ready for real tournaments.
• Scrub – A player who performs poorly in a game.
• Scuffed – Describes something poorly made, low-quality, or badly executed.
• SFX (Sound Effects) – Audio elements in games, such as explosions, footsteps, or ambient noises.
• Skill / Skill Tree – A system that lets players upgrade specific abilities or attributes.
• Skill Ceiling – The highest level of skill a player can achieve, reflecting the game’s complexity.
• Skins – Players can change the look of characters, weapons, and in-game items.
• Smurf – A highly skilled player using a new account to compete against weaker opponents.
• Speedrun – Completing a game as fast as possible using strategies or glitches.
• Stamina – A character’s energy or endurance used for actions or abilities.
• Stats – Numbers such as strength, agility, and intelligence impact how a character performs.
• Stealth – A feature lets players move or act without being seen..
• Stun – A status effect temporarily turns off a character, preventing movement or actions.
• Sweaty – Describes a highly competitive player who puts in great effort to win.

T

• Tank – A strong player in any game, not just used for protection.
• TDM (Team Deathmatch) – A multiplayer mode where two teams compete to get the most kills.
• Tea Bag – A disrespectful move where a player repeatedly crouches over a defeated enemy.
• Tilt – When a player gets upset or frustrated, leading to poor performance.
• TK (Team Kill) – When a player kills a teammate by mistake or on purpose.
• Tilted – A player who is angry or unable to focus due to frustration.
• Toggle – Turning a setting, function, or ability on or off, like switching camera views or activating skills.
• Tower Defense – A game where players protect structures from waves of enemies.
• Tryhard – A person who cares only about winning and makes the game less fun.
• TTV (Twitch.TV) – Shows that a player streams their gameplay live on Twitch.
• Turbo – A gaming platform upgrade removes ads and provides customization choices for a fee.
• Turtling – A defensive strategy where a player prioritizes protection over attacking.
• Twink – A low-level character with high-level gear or abilities, creating an unfair edge.

U

Unit – Players control or interact with a game’s character, object, or entity.

V

• Vanilla –  In gaming, it refers to the original version of a game without any modifications or additional content.
• VC (Virtual Currency) –  In gaming, it refers to digital money or tokens that players can earn, buy, or trade to purchase virtual items or unlock content.

W

• Whales – Players spend a lot of money on microtransactions and in-game purchases.
• Whiff – When a player completely misses a shot or ability.
• Whiffed – The past tense of “whiff,” meaning the player missed their shot or ability.
• Whisper – Private messages exchanged between users in games.
• WP (Well Played) – Players use this phrase in online multiplayer games to praise others for a good game, no matter the result.
• WTB (Want to Buy) – A term used online to indicate that a player wants to purchase a specific item or service.
• WTS (Want to Sell) – A term used online to indicate that a player wants to sell a specific item or service.

X

XP (Experience Points) – A number that represents a player’s level or progress in a game.