bet
1 Americannoun
abbreviation
abbreviation
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
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a pledge of a forfeit risked on some uncertain outcome; wager.
Where do we place our bets?
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that which is pledged.
a two-dollar bet.
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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.
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an act or instance of betting.
It's a bet, then?
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a person, plan of action, etc., considered as being a good alternative; choice.
Your best bet is to sell your stocks now.
idioms
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all bets are off. all bets are off.
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you bet! of course! surely!.
You bet I'd like to be there!
noun
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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
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the money or stake risked
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the predicted result in such an agreement
his bet was that the horse would win
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a person, event, etc, considered as likely to succeed or occur
it's a good bet that they will succeed
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a course of action (esp in the phrase one's best bet )
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informal an opinion; view
my bet is that you've been up to no good
verb
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to make or place a bet with (a person or persons)
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(tr) to stake (money, etc) in a bet
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informal (tr; may take a clause as object) to predict (a certain outcome)
I bet she fails
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informal of course; naturally
Etymology
Origin of bet
First recorded in 1585–95; perhaps special use of obsolete bet “better,” in phrase the bet “the advantage,” i.e., “the odds”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Golden Globe Awards presented the data as part of a partnership deal with Polymarket, which gives users the opportunity to bet on the outcomes of events in sports, culture, politics and other areas.
From Los Angeles Times
The company has a new leadership team — including new chief executive, Spencer Rascoff, who started in July — that is betting the app can find its second wind by developing new features.
From Los Angeles Times
You could bet a stack of rabbit skins I was a decent shot!
From Literature
The betting platform Polymarket shows a more than 55% chance that Powell will stay on the Fed board after his chair term ends.
From Barron's
A reluctance of foreign asset allocators to devote resources on U.S. equities then, no doubt, informs Papic’s highest conviction bet: European equities.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
