noun
-
chess an opening move in which a chessman, usually a pawn, is sacrificed to secure an advantageous position
-
an opening comment, manoeuvre, etc, intended to secure an advantage or promote a point of view
Etymology
Origin of gambit
1650–60; < French < Spanish gambito or Italian gambetto (akin to Old French gambet, jambet ), equivalent to gamb ( a ) leg + -etta -et
Explanation
A gambit is a strategic move, often in chess but also in politics or business, where a player sacrifices something up front for future gain. The noun gambit comes from an Italian word, gambetto, which means “tripping up.” When you make an opening move, offer something, or start a conversation with something that seems self-sacrificing but is really a ploy for greater advantage in the long run, that's a gambit. In chess, a gambit is when you sacrifice a pawn early for better positioning. When you offer to drive the morning carpool, that might be a gambit to get the afternoon shift off.
Vocabulary lists containing gambit
Check It Out, Mate: Chess Vocabulary
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
And Then There Were None
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Hidden Figures
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
But Ham’s gambit is insulting on another level, because this is also a common sense issue.
From Salon ● Jul. 10, 2026
Unified could be viewed as a last-ditch gambit to salvage a desperate financial situation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 28, 2026
Also critical for the companies’ plans are a gambit to boost solar and energy storage manufacturing capacity, the latter of which has been a growing part of Tesla’s business.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 18, 2026
Lawyers for Beatty told the judge the center had plenty of time to comply with the order or file an appeal and described the request to pause Cooper’s ruling as a frivolous, last-minute gambit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026
America's nuclear gambit had kept Stalin in check, but the crisis in Berlin underscored the need to anticipate the USSR's next move.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
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.
