mah-jong

A group of friends plays a game of mah-jong around a table.

Definition

Noun (uncountable): A game of Chinese origin, typically played by four players using a set of 144 tiles based on Chinese characters and symbols. Players draw and discard tiles to form winning combinations, and the game involves strategy, skill, and chance.

Usage Examples

• (Engaging in the tile-based game.)
• (Acquiring the skill of the game.)
• (The physical components of the game.)

Advanced Usage

• "to play mah-jong": to participate in the game.
  • They play mah-jong every Thursday evening. (They regularly engage in the game.)
• "mah-jong tiles": the individual pieces used in the game.
  • The mah-jong tiles are made of ivory or plastic. (The materials of the game pieces.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mah-jongg (noun): an alternative spelling of mah-jong.
  • She prefers the spelling mah-jongg for her game club. (A variant spelling of the same word.)
• Mah-jong player (noun): a person who plays the game.
  • He is an experienced mah-jong player. (Someone skilled at the game.)

Synonyms

• Tile game: a general category for games using tiles, such as mah-jong.
• Chinese game: a broader term for games originating in China, including mah-jong.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Related Idioms