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

Harry Gargan, brother of 13-year-old Margaret Gargan, told the inquest she had been helping to set up a bingo night at the local community centre on the night of the shootings, on 9 July 1972.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Not many people had a Clipse comeback on their 2025 bingo card, but the hip-hop duo, composed of brothers Pusha-T and Malice, were back again like they never left.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Southgate’s offerings include three blackjack tables, bar bingo and 10 e-tab machines.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

As Ryan Detrick, chief market strategist at the Carson Group, said to MarketWatch on Saturday: “To think we are going to have a calm start to March probably isn’t on anyone’s bingo card.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 1, 2026

They'd walked into a bingo hall once and heard him tell an old lady he was her troll doll, the only good luck charm she'd ever need.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds

Related Words

• poker
• roulette