Gamey describes meat that has a strong, wild, distinctive flavor quite different from the mild taste of chicken, beef, or pork you'd find at most grocery stores. When someone says venison (deer meat) tastes gamey, they mean it has an intense, earthy flavor that reminds you the animal lived in the forest, not on a farm. Duck, wild boar, and rabbit can all taste gamey.

Some people love this rich, complex taste and seek it out. Others find it too strong and prefer milder meats. The flavor comes partly from what wild animals eat (acorns, wild plants, insects) and partly from how much they move around. A deer that spent its life running through the woods will taste more gamey than a farm-raised cow that mostly stood in a pasture.

The word can also describe something that smells like wild game meat, which isn't always pleasant. If meat tastes too gamey, it might mean it wasn't stored properly or is past its prime.

Less commonly, gamey can describe someone who is brave and spirited, willing to try difficult things despite the risk. For example, you might say a character in a story is gamey if they keep tackling tough challenges without giving up.