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

Example Sentences

“Oh, you mean like helping me with bingo?”

From Literature

Oddly, bingo halls per capita was a data point, too.

From MarketWatch

“Having to have that conversation wasn’t on my bingo card for that day, or any day,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Her plus-size subjects were joyous drag queens, women, sailors and old ladies all having a good time on nights out, in Plymouth shopping, playing cards or bingo.

From BBC

They would also benefit from parish staples such as the St. Vincent de Paul Society, bereavement groups and even bingo night.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• poker
• roulette