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

Explanation

Bingo is a game in which players cover numbers on a scorecard as they're randomly called out. If you're lucky enough to cover all the numbers in a row, you win — and you get to shout "Bingo!" Etymologists aren't positive about the origins of bingo, but they think the word was originally an exclamation of surprise or success. This enthusiastic interjection was borrowed to name the popular game of chance around 1924. You can use it either way today: "I was looking online for the closest bingo hall, and bingo! There it was, right in my neighborhood!"

Example Sentences

For Innuendo Bingo - which Mills claimed Prince William was a fan of - the DJ would play out innuendos while Stark and a celebrity guest tried to keep their mouths full of water.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

The Walt Disney Co. first teased that the Blue Heeler puppy and her younger sister Bingo would be coming to the Anaheim theme park in 2024.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

Some set to go ahead include "Book Bingo" in Warwickshire, where library members can read or listen to 12 books to complete a bingo card and enter a prize draw.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2025

In “Bluey: Bust-a-Move,” you can bounce around as Bluey, Bingo, Mum or Dad.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 23, 2025

“Mummy Ola! Bingo can see spirits. When he barks at night it means he sees spirits.”

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• poker
• roulette