bet

¹

[ bet ]

verb (used with object)

, bet or bet·ted, bet·ting.

1. to wager with (something or someone).

   Synonyms: chance, venture, hazard, risk, stake, gamble

verb (used without object)

, bet or bet·ted, bet·ting.

1. to make a wager:

   Do you want to bet?

noun

1. a pledge of a forfeit risked on some uncertain outcome; wager:

   Where do we place our bets?

2. that which is pledged:

   a two-dollar bet.

3. something that is bet on, as a competitor in a sporting event or a number in a lottery:

   That horse looks like a good bet.

4. an act or instance of betting:

   It's a bet, then?

5. a person, plan of action, etc., considered as being a good alternative; choice:

   Your best bet is to sell your stocks now.

bet

²

[ beyt; bet ]

noun

1. beth.

BET

³

abbreviation for

, Trademark.

1. Black Entertainment Television: a cable television channel.

bet.

⁴

abbreviation for

1. between.

bet

/ bɛt /

noun

1. an agreement between two parties that a sum of money or other stake will be paid by the loser to the party who correctly predicts the outcome of an event
2. the money or stake risked
3. the predicted result in such an agreement

   his bet was that the horse would win

4. a person, event, etc, considered as likely to succeed or occur

   it's a good bet that they will succeed

5. a course of action (esp in the phrase one's best bet )
6. informal.
   an opinion; view

   my bet is that you've been up to no good

verb

1. whenintr foll by on or against to make or place a bet with (a person or persons)
2. tr to stake (money, etc) in a bet
3. informal.
   tr; may take a clause as object to predict (a certain outcome)

   I bet she fails

4. you bet informal.
   of course; naturally

Word History and Origins

Origin of bet¹

First recorded in 1585–95; perhaps special use of obsolete bet “better,” in phrase the bet “the advantage,” i.e., “the odds”

Word History and Origins

Origin of bet¹

C16: probably short for abet

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. all bets are off. all bets are off.
2. you bet! Informal. of course! surely!:

   You bet I'd like to be there!

More idioms and phrases containing bet

• back (bet on) the wrong horse
• hedge one's bets
• you bet your ass

Example Sentences

And when BET Weekend came to Atlanta two months ago, Brinsley thought he could become a major party promoter.

From The Daily Beast

And given the current glut in fossil fuels, it might even be a better economic bet to wait a few years.

From The Daily Beast

The kerfuffle began with a £200 bet, followed by several smaller bets in quick succession.

From The Daily Beast

The monogamous or safe-only gay man is a far safer bet than the unprotected hetero swinger.

From The Daily Beast

By Tuesday night, going through Bet El was no longer possible.

From The Daily Beast

Spiker was willing to bet that right now Weston was over the way trying to prove to them that two and two was four.

From Project Gutenberg

"I'll bet yo 'un a hoss I ken put a ball through that Yank's heart at fifty paces," he roared.

From Project Gutenberg

She was really uneasy until he explained that, in imitation of older ones, he had bet some cents on Burlingame and had won.

From Project Gutenberg

I bet a feller can skate in the streeton the sidewalkalmost anywhere this morning, declared Chet, with enthusiasm.

From Project Gutenberg

Dont you be worried, girls; I bet Mr. Sharp wont let anybody get that prize through favoritism.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• pony up
• speculate
• wager