This emphasis on positivism was a reaction against the romantic Idealism that had been influential in German philosophy. In the 1930's, Wittgenstein became critical of his earlier picture theory of meaning. We use language in a variety of ways, to talk about science, religion, art and so on. A language game reflects a human activity, a form of life. As well as a scientific language game, we can participate in a religious language game, an aesthetic language game and many others.
Words derive their meaning from the function they perform within the language game.
Words are no longer seen as having a particular essence, or to refer to a particular object. The same is true for the use of words. The word 'game', for example, is used to talk about board games, card games, Olympic games, soccer games etc. These games do not hold one essential quality in common, rather there are overlapping and criss-crossing similarities. If we try to define the essence of beauty or knowledge, rather than seeing how these concepts are used in context, we will become confused.