bet

¹

[bet]

verb (used with object)

bet, betted, betting. 

1. to wager with (something or someone).

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

verb (used without object)

bet, betted, betting. 

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

Trademark.

1. Black Entertainment Television: a cable television channel.

bet.

⁴

abbreviation

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. 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. 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! 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

Musk has increasingly bet Tesla’s future on its autonomous driving technology and robotaxi venture.

From Los Angeles Times

The so-called kitchen king started AO selling discounted fridges and washing machines after a £1 bet with a friend that he couldn't pull it off.

From BBC

She smiled through tears and said “I bet you guys are surprised.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I bet you never imagined the father of your kid looking like Macaulay Culkin in ‘Home Alone.’”

From Salon

Her arrival at dinner had been delayed by the consequences of losing a bet at training.

From BBC

Related Words

• betting www.thesaurus.com
• chance 
• long shot 
• odds 
• pledge 
• risk 
• speculation 
• stake 
• venture 
• wager