craps

American  

[kraps] / kræps /

noun

(usually used with a singular verb)

1. a game in which two dice are thrown and in which a first throw of 7 or 11 wins, a first throw of 2, 3, or 12 loses, and a first throw of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 can be won only by throwing the same number again before throwing a 7.

---

craps British  

/ kræps /

noun

1. a gambling game using two dice, in which a player wins the bet if 7 or 11 is thrown first, and loses if 2, 3, or 12 is thrown

2. to play this game

---

Etymology

Origin of craps

First recorded in 1835–45, apparently from French craps, variant of crabs “double-ace” (lowest throw at the game of hazard), from 18th-century English slang; see crab ¹ ( def. 7a )

Example Sentences

Ralenkotter was born April 4, 1947, in Covington, Ky., outside Cincinnati, and moved to Las Vegas at age 4, where his father, Donald, became a craps dealer at the Las Vegas Sands.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

A few people looked askance at them, their eyes and facial expressions signaling annoyance or disgust mixed with curiosity, but they quickly went back to playing cards or craps.

From Salon • Nov. 12, 2024

As slot machines clanged in the background and people packed around craps tables, Ms. Miles reflected on the job interview she had just come from at a nearby Walgreens.

From New York Times • Aug. 4, 2023

And I think that’s what people like about me, because I don’t give two craps what I say.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2023

SJ’s great, but not for this, and while he could go to Doc, Jus doesn’t really want to hear any more stay good even though the world craps on you advice.

From "Dear Martin" by Nic Stone

Related Words

• poker
• roulette