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.
Sports bookies are reduced to fan-frustrating fiddles to prevent betting on plays that already happened.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026
Roberson, 31, bet the 38-year-old Crowley $700 that the 49ers, who Las Vegas bookies had as 4.5-point favorites, would prevail.
From Salon • Feb. 8, 2026
For now, it’s the bookies that are taking the biggest hit from prediction markets’ rise.
From Barron's • Dec. 18, 2025
Was that a bit of ironic humor from Bill Shaikin saying he checked with bookies to see what the odds are on Pete Rose getting into the Hall of Fame?
From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2025
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 "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
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.
