bingo

American  

[bing-goh] / ˈbɪŋ goʊ /

noun

(sometimes initial capital letter)

1. a form of lotto in which balls or slips, each with a number and one of the letters B, I, N, G, or O, are drawn at random and players cover the corresponding numbers printed on their cards, the winner being the first to cover five numbers in any row or diagonal or, sometimes, all numbers on the card.

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interjection

1. (used to call a win in bingo.)

2. (used to express suddenness or swiftness, as of an action).

   He waved his hand, and, bingo, the card reappeared.

3. (used to acknowledge someone's sudden understanding or correct response).

   Bingo! That's just what I meant!

bingo British  

/ ˈbɪŋɡəʊ /

noun

1. a gambling game, usually played with several people, in which numbers selected at random are called out and the players cover the numbers on their individual cards. The first to cover a given arrangement of numbers is the winner Compare lotto

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1. a cry by the winner of a game of bingo

2. an expression of surprise at a sudden occurrence or the successful completion of something

   and bingo! the lights went out

Etymology

Origin of bingo

First recorded in 1935–40; apparently alteration of beano ¹

Example Sentences

A bingo game for what celebrities might wear or do during the live show.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

“Having to have that conversation wasn’t on my bingo card for that day, or any day,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 2, 2026

Her plus-size subjects were joyous drag queens, women, sailors and old ladies all having a good time on nights out, in Plymouth shopping, playing cards or bingo.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026

The U.S.-Europe spat over Greenland may have not been on many investor bingo cards for this year, but here we are.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 20, 2026

Her father was not yet back from work, her mother was not yet back from bingo and her brother might be anywhere.

From "Matilda" by Roald Dahl

Related Words

• poker
• roulette