gamble
[gam-buhl]
- to play at any game of chance for money or other stakes.
- to stake or risk money, or anything of value, on the outcome of something involving chance: to gamble on a toss of the dice.
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- to lose or squander by betting (usually followed by away): He gambled all his hard-earned money away in one night.
- to wager or risk (money or something else of value): to gamble one's freedom.
- to take a chance on; venture; risk: I'm gambling that our new store will be a success.
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- any matter or thing involving risk or hazardous uncertainty.
- a venture in a game of chance for stakes, especially for high stakes.
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Origin of gamble
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
wager, venture, bet, speculate, raffle, lottery, risk, fling, uncertainty, leap, stab, action, spec, play, jeopardize, brave, challenge, stake, back, hazardExamples from the Web for gamble
Contemporary Examples
But the decision now to sever economic ties with the eastern regions was a surprise—and a gamble.
Unfortunately, that gamble was at the expense of Miss America's supposed mission.
Vincent teaches young Oliver how to fight bullies, how to gamble, what a hooker is––you know, the important things in life.
While CBS is taking a gamble on a relatively unknown (and unproven) talent, to many critics this decision was all too predictable.
Late Night Adds Another White Dude: James Corden Replacing Craig Ferguson at ‘The Late Late Show’Amy Zimmerman
August 5, 2014
Plus, Procter & Gamble has already removed triclosan from its Crest toothpaste.
Historical Examples
He wouldn't stay a day longer than he had to, thought you could gamble on that.
Chip, of the Flying UB. M. Bower
Nevertheless, Mr. Jannissary was prepared to gamble on John's future.
The Foolish LoversSt. John G. Ervine
You have come to gamble, and your gambling is attended by every form of intemperance and immorality.
The ChristianHall Caine
All these engineers and officers of ships took tickets in that gamble.
End of the TetherJoseph Conrad
He loves a gamble, and is most amusing when he is in the mood.
A Bride of the PlainsBaroness Emmuska Orczy
gamble
- (intr) to play games of chance to win money
- to risk or bet (money) on the outcome of an event, sport, etc
- (intr often foll by on) to act with the expectation ofto gamble on its being a sunny day
- (often foll by away) to lose by or as if by betting; squander
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- a risky act or venture
- a bet, wager, or other risk or chance taken for possible monetary gain
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Word Origin
C18: probably variant of game 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for gamble
v.
1726 (implied in gambling), from a dialectal survival of Middle English gammlen, variant of gamenen "to play, jest, be merry," from Old English gamenian "to play, joke, pun," from gamen (see game). Or possibly gamble is from a derivative of gamel "to play games" (1590s), itself likely a frequentative from game. Originally regarded as a slang word. The intrusive -b- may be from confusion with gambol. Related: Gambled; gambling.
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n.
"risky venture," 1823, from gamble (v.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper