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

Some set to go ahead include "Book Bingo" in Warwickshire, where library members can read or listen to 12 books to complete a bingo card and enter a prize draw.

From BBC

Volunteers awarded every attendee a bingo card with entries like “I said hello to a baker who made a chocolate cake” and “I introduced myself to 3 new people.”

From The Wall Street Journal

It is now the biggest private sector employer in the city and offers sports betting, poker, casino games and bingo online to millions of customers worldwide.

From BBC

"We've had to turn down international superstars because we couldn't find another room to move the bingo into," he says wryly.

From BBC

Rank’s shares—which rallied Wednesday after the U.K. government said it would abolish a bingo duty—dropped 10% on Thursday after the company issued a profit warning.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• poker
• roulette