gamble

[ gam-buhl ]

verb (used without object)

, gam·bled, gam·bling.

1. to play at any game of chance for money or other stakes.
2. to stake or risk money, or anything of value, on the outcome of something involving chance:

   to gamble on a toss of the dice.

verb (used with object)

, gam·bled, gam·bling.

1. to lose or squander by betting (usually followed by away ):

   He gambled all his hard-earned money away in one night.

2. to wager or risk (money or something else of value):

   to gamble one's freedom.

3. to take a chance on; venture; risk:

   I'm gambling that our new store will be a success.

noun

1. any matter or thing involving risk or hazardous uncertainty.

   Synonyms: flier, speculation, hazard, venture

2. a venture in a game of chance for stakes, especially for high stakes.

gamble

/ ˈɡæmbəl /

verb

1. intr to play games of chance to win money
2. to risk or bet (money) on the outcome of an event, sport, etc
3. introften foll byon to act with the expectation of

   to gamble on its being a sunny day

4. often foll by away to lose by or as if by betting; squander

noun

1. a risky act or venture
2. a bet, wager, or other risk or chance taken for possible monetary gain

Derived Forms

• ˈgambling, noun
• ˈgambler, noun

Other Words From

• gambler noun
• anti·gambling adjective
• non·gambler noun
• outgamble verb (used with object) outgambled outgambling
• over·gamble verb (used with object) overgambled overgambling
• pro·gambling adjective
• re·gamble verb regambled regambling
• un·gambled adjective
• un·gambling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gamble¹

1150–1200; Middle English gamenen to play ( Old English gamenian ), with substitution of -le for -en; game ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of gamble¹

C18: probably variant of game ¹

Example Sentences

Buying into the first generation of a folding product is a gamble—especially when it’s meant to replace your main work device.

From Popular-Science

Her HBO show, I May Destroy You, has been a massive hit and has paid off her gamble from 2017, when she rejected a $1 million Netflix offer to buy the show rights because the streaming giant wouldn’t give her copyright royalties.

From Ozy

Venture capital is by its nature a gamble—it’s right there in the name—and every gamble comes with the risk of heavy losses.

From Fortune

Pouring money into plastics is a desperate gamble for Big Oil.

From Vox

That being said, it’s a gamble that in the long run pays a positive net return.

From Freakonomics

Allowing the protests to go on with little interference was always a high-stakes gamble.

From The Daily Beast

Since Nestdrop continues to do so as of this writing, they wager a tense gamble that the odds will be in their favor.

From The Daily Beast

But the decision now to sever economic ties with the eastern regions was a surprise—and a gamble.

From The Daily Beast

As a result, the $1 million the DSCC is throwing in represents “an inexpensive gamble,” the source said.

From The Daily Beast

The pageant came back to Atlantic City and, appropriately, took a big gamble.

From The Daily Beast

If we find him there as Rutter said, you can gamble that trouble has camped in our dooryard for a lengthy stay.

From Project Gutenberg

He was never so happy as when taking chances; his whole life was a gamble, with Providence holding the bank.

From Project Gutenberg

They often dine together: the ladies love music and dancing, and some of the men gamble as much as the Portuguese.

From Project Gutenberg

The Texan went off to rub down his horse, mend his accoutrements, squat around the cooking fires, and gamble with the drivers.

From Project Gutenberg

Old Strang died insolvent; he used to gamble, had ruined himself without saying a word.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bet
• long shot
• venture
• wager