bookie
Americannoun
noun
Usage
What does bookie mean? A bookie is a person whose business is accepting other people’s gambling bets, such as on sporting events. It can also refer to a company that does this.Bookie is the common, informal name for a bookmaker. The word book in bookmaker refers to a record of bets.The word bookie is associated with illegal betting operations, especially those run by organized crime groups. However, being a bookie can be done legally. Still, as modern sports betting becomes more widespread, sophisticated, and run by large businesses, the image of a bookie as a shady person writing down bets by hand in a book is likely on the decline.Example: I got a hot tip on a horse—I better call my bookie!
Etymology
Origin of bookie
First recorded in 1880–85; book(maker) + -ie
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For now, it’s the bookies that are taking the biggest hit from prediction markets’ rise.
From Barron's
The bookies were offering you odds of somewhere between 6:1 and 10:1 when the odds of it working out felt more like 2:1.
From Literature
With the Proteas recommencing their first innings on the fifth day Cronje - prompted by a bookie named Marlon Aronstam - contrived an unprecedented innings forfeiture for both sides to ensure a result.
From BBC
The bookies certainly think so - and they are not alone.
From BBC
Of course, Itoje and his players will discount all of the talk of bookies odds and Lions invincibility.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
