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

The change is an embrace of the player-pay era, and a big bet that successful college football programs will operate more like the Eagles than old State U.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Oracle’s AI play might be Ellison’s biggest bet ever, but that’s what they always say about Ellison.

Read more on Barron's

EA has been vocal about its plans to use generative AI in game development, and its prospective new owners are betting on the technology to boost profits, according to The Financial Times.

Read more on BBC

Based on their bets in futures markets, traders see a roughly 80% probability of two more quarter-point rate cuts from the Fed this year.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Traders are betting her focus on aggressive fiscal polices, supported by near-zero interest rates and structural overhauls, will add to the nation’s teetering debt pile.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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