bet

[ bet ]

/ bɛt /

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See synonyms for bet on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), bet or bet·ted, bet·ting.

to wager with (something or someone).

verb (used without object), bet or bet·ted, bet·ting.

to make a wager: Do you want to bet?

noun

a pledge of a forfeit risked on some uncertain outcome; wager: Where do we place our bets?

that which is pledged: a two-dollar bet.

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.

an act or instance of betting: It's a bet, then?

a person, plan of action, etc., considered as being a good alternative; choice: Your best bet is to sell your stocks now.

OTHER WORDS FOR bet

1 gamble, stake, risk, hazard, venture, chance.

See synonyms for bet on Thesaurus.com

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Idioms about bet

all bets are off. See entry at all bets are off.

you bet!Informal. of course! surely!: You bet I'd like to be there!

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”

Other definitions for bet (2 of 4)

bet²

[ beyt; bet ]

/ beɪt; bɛt /

noun

beth.

Other definitions for bet (3 of 4)

BET

abbreviation Trademark.

Black Entertainment Television: a cable television channel.

Other definitions for bet (4 of 4)

bet.

abbreviation

between.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bet in a sentence

And when BET Weekend came to Atlanta two months ago, Brinsley thought he could become a major party promoter.
Alleged Cop Killer’s Blood-Soaked Screenplay|M.L. Nestel|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And given the current glut in fossil fuels, it might even be a better economic bet to wait a few years.
New York’s Conservative Fracking Ban|Jay Michaelson|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The kerfuffle began with a £200 bet, followed by several smaller bets in quick succession.
Could The Queen Abdicate on Christmas Day?|Tom Sykes|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The monogamous or safe-only gay man is a far safer bet than the unprotected hetero swinger.
The Outrageous Celibacy Requirement for Gay Blood Donors|Jay Michaelson|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

By Tuesday night, going through Bet El was no longer possible.
The Radicals Who Slaughtered a Synagogue|Creede Newton|November 19, 2014|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.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
"I'll bet yo 'un a hoss I ken put a ball through that Yank's heart at fifty paces," he roared.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
She was really uneasy until he explained that, in imitation of older ones, he had bet some cents on Burlingame and had won.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
I bet a feller can skate in the streeton the sidewalkalmost anywhere this morning, declared Chet, with enthusiasm.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
Dont you be worried, girls; I bet Mr. Sharp wont let anybody get that prize through favoritism.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison

British Dictionary definitions for bet

bet

/ (bɛt) /

noun

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

the money or stake risked

the predicted result in such an agreementhis bet was that the horse would win

a person, event, etc, considered as likely to succeed or occurit's a good bet that they will succeed

a course of action (esp in the phrase one's best bet)

informal an opinion; viewmy bet is that you've been up to no good

verb bets, betting, bet or betted

(when intr foll by on or against) to make or place a bet with (a person or persons)

(tr) to stake (money, etc) in a bet

(tr; may take a clause as object) informal to predict (a certain outcome)I bet she fails

you bet informal of course; naturally

Word Origin for bet

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

Other 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

bet

OTHER WORDS FOR bet

Idioms about bet

Origin of bet

Other definitions for bet (2 of 4)

Other definitions for bet (3 of 4)

Other definitions for bet (4 of 4)

Words related to bet

How to use bet in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bet

Word Origin for bet

Other Idioms and Phrases with bet