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

Explanation

Bingo is a game in which players cover numbers on a scorecard as they're randomly called out. If you're lucky enough to cover all the numbers in a row, you win — and you get to shout "Bingo!" Etymologists aren't positive about the origins of bingo, but they think the word was originally an exclamation of surprise or success. This enthusiastic interjection was borrowed to name the popular game of chance around 1924. You can use it either way today: "I was looking online for the closest bingo hall, and bingo! There it was, right in my neighborhood!"

Example Sentences

On the fourth or fifth pack — Neto couldn’t remember exactly — he opened the packaging and bingo.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 5, 2026

"Nobody had the Middle East conflict on their bingo card," Cox Chief Economist Jeremy Robb said on a conference call late last month.

From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026

"I just put two and two together and bingo," said Ayola.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2026

These might include karaoke nights, themed bingo happy hours, and raves, often thrown with well-respected collectives.

From Slate • Jun. 25, 2026

A couple of brief multiplications, a simple division, and, bingo, you know your gravitational position wherever you go.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• poker
• roulette