bookmaker
Americannoun
-
a person who makes a business of accepting the bets of others on the outcome of sports contests, especially of horse races.
-
a person who makes books.
noun
Usage
What does bookmaker mean? A bookmaker is a person or institution whose business is accepting other people’s gambling bets, such as on sporting events.A bookmaker is more commonly called a bookie, especially when it refers to a person. The word book in bookmaker refers to a record of bets.The words bookie and bookmaker are sometimes associated with illegal betting operations, especially those run by organized crime groups. However, being a bookmaker can be done legally. Still, as modern sports betting becomes more widespread, sophisticated, and run by large businesses, the image of a bookmaker as a shady person writing down bets by hand in a book is likely on the decline.The word bookmaker can also refer to a person or company that makes books.Example: I got a hot tip on a horse—I better call my bookmaker!
Other Word Forms
- bookmaking noun
Etymology
Origin of bookmaker
First recorded in 1375–1425, bookmaker is from the late Middle English word bokmakere. See book, maker
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.
A tearful Redknapp, who recalled last week how his grandmother used to run bets for a bookmaker when gambling was illegal, earned a big kiss from his wife Sandra.
From Barron's
And despite losing on her only previous appearance at the tournament, she is rated odds-on favourite by bookmakers to beat Gurney, a World Cup winner with Northern Ireland, and reach the second round.
From BBC
That hasn't stopped a lot of bookmakers placing them as fourth favourites, though, despite Opta putting them down in seventh.
From BBC
Universal is expected to pour resources into seeing she wins the statuette this time around, and she is already the bookmakers' favorite.
From Barron's
Prediction marketers, states, tribes, bookmakers, gambling addiction agencies, and judges will continue to guess what the CFTC’s silence means.
From Barron's
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.
