gamble

[gam-buhl]

verb (used without object)

gambled, gambling 

1. to play at any game of chance for money or other stakes.

2. to stake or risk money, or anything of value, on the outcome of something involving chance.

   to gamble on a toss of the dice.

verb (used with object)

gambled, gambling 

1. to lose or squander by betting (usually followed byaway ).

   He gambled all his hard-earned money away in one night.

2. to wager or risk (money or something else of value).

   to gamble one's freedom.

3. to take a chance on; venture; risk.

   I'm gambling that our new store will be a success.

noun

1. any matter or thing involving risk or hazardous uncertainty.

   Synonyms: flier, speculation, hazard, venture

2. a venture in a game of chance for stakes, especially for high stakes.

gamble

/ ˈɡæmbəl /

verb

1. (intr) to play games of chance to win money

2. to risk or bet (money) on the outcome of an event, sport, etc

3. to act with the expectation of

   to gamble on its being a sunny day

4. (often foll by away) to lose by or as if by betting; squander

noun

1. a risky act or venture

2. a bet, wager, or other risk or chance taken for possible monetary gain

Other Word Forms

• gambler noun
• antigambling adjective
• nongambler noun
• outgamble verb (used with object)
• overgamble verb (used with object)
• progambling adjective
• regamble verb
• ungambled adjective
• ungambling adjective
• gambling noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gamble¹

1150–1200; Middle English gamenen to play ( Old English gamenian ), with substitution of -le for -en; game ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of gamble¹

C18: probably variant of _game ¹

Example Sentences

The Department of Health said men are less likely to seek help and more likely to smoke, drink, gamble and use drugs than women.

Read more on BBC

But it is a gamble, with Wood the only one to have experienced Test cricket in Australian conditions and he has barely played since knee surgery earlier this year.

Read more on Barron's

Potentially rough seas and the hazards they present are part of the gamble when you take the long way home from Europe.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She had gambled on the family’s foolishness and self-delusion, and she had won by a length, as they say at the Derby.

Read more on Literature

"The Prime Minister's costly deficit gambles our future on the national credit card," Poilievre said in the House of Commons on Monday ahead of the vote.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bet 
• long shot 
• venture 
• wager