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noun

atari

uh-TAH-ree

Atari (noun) means In the board game Go, a position where a stone or group of stones is one move away from being captured. Example: “Her group of stones was in atari, so she had to defend immediately.”

noun
1
In the board game Go, a position where a stone or group of stones is one move away from being captured.
"Her group of stones was in atari, so she had to defend immediately."
2
A brand of video game console and computer, particularly popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
"He still owns an old Atari console with the original cartridges."

How to use atari

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a warning move in Go, or the classic video game brand named after that Go term.

Word forms

atari plural, ataris plural, ataries plural, Ataris plural

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Test yourself on “atari” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Her group of stones was in _____, so she had to defend immediately.

Etymology

The Go term is borrowed from Japanese atari, meaning "hit" or "to be hit."

Origin: Japanese

Rhymes for atari

See all rhymes for atari →

Frequently asked questions

What does “atari” mean?

The word “atari” means in the board game Go, a position where a stone or group of stones is one move away from being captured. In plain terms, either a warning move in Go, or the classic video game brand named after that Go term.

How do you pronounce “atari”?

“Atari” is pronounced uh-TAH-ree (/əˈtɑːˌɹi/ in IPA).

How do you use “atari” in a sentence?

Here is “atari” used in a sentence: “Her group of stones was in atari, so she had to defend immediately.”

What part of speech is “atari”?

“Atari” is a noun.

Where does the word “atari” come from?

The word “atari” comes from Japanese. The Go term is borrowed from Japanese atari, meaning "hit" or "to be hit.".

How many meanings does “atari” have?

“Atari” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in the board game Go, a position where a stone or group of stones is one move away from being captured.

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