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bet1

[bet]
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verb (used with object), bet or bet·ted, bet·ting.
  1. to wager with (something or someone).
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verb (used without object), bet or bet·ted, bet·ting.
  1. to make a wager: Do you want to bet?
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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.
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Idioms
  1. you bet! Informal. of course! surely!: You bet I'd like to be there!
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Origin of bet1

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

Synonyms

See more synonyms for bet on Thesaurus.com
1. gamble, stake, risk, hazard, venture, chance.

bet2

[beyt; bet]
noun
  1. beth.
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BET

Trademark.
  1. Black Entertainment Television: a cable television channel.
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bet.

  1. between.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for bet

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • This here fellow, now, couldn't make an honest livin' like that, I bet you.

    The Spenders

    Harry Leon Wilson

  • You bet Mr. Arledge would 'a' got my decision right hot off the griddle.

    The Spenders

    Harry Leon Wilson

  • I'll bet England never knew the Revolution was a-goin' on till it was over.

  • He fought his way back to the open of the paddock without making a bet.

    Thoroughbreds

    W. A. Fraser

  • I'll just re-enter that bet to the Little Woman while I think of it.

    Thoroughbreds

    W. A. Fraser

British Dictionary definitions for bet

bet

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 agreementhis bet was that the horse would win
  4. a person, event, etc, considered as likely to succeed or occurit'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; viewmy bet is that you've been up to no good
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verb bets, betting, bet or betted
  1. (when intr 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. (tr; may take a clause as object) informal to predict (a certain outcome)I bet she fails
  4. you bet informal of course; naturally
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Word Origin

C16: probably short for abet
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for bet

1590s, as both a verb and noun, in the argot of petty criminals, of unknown origin; probably a shortening of abet or else from obsolete beet "to make good," from Old English bætan "make better, arouse, stimulate," from Proto-Germanic *baitjanan, in which case the verb would be the original. The original notion is perhaps "to improve" a contest by wagering on it, or it is from the "bait" sense in abet. Used since 1852 in various American English slang assertions (cf. you bet "be assured," 1857). Related: Betting.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with bet

bet

In addition to the idioms beginning with bet

  • bet one's ass
  • bet on the wrong horse

also see:

  • back (bet on) the wrong horse
  • hedge one's bets
  • you bet your ass
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.