gamble
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.
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.
any matter or thing involving risk or hazardous uncertainty.
a venture in a game of chance for stakes, especially for high stakes.
Origin of gamble
1Other words for gamble
Other words from gamble
- gambler, noun
- an·ti·gam·bling, adjective
- non·gam·bler, noun
- outgamble, verb (used with object), out·gam·bled, out·gam·bling.
- o·ver·gam·ble, verb (used with object), o·ver·gam·bled, o·ver·gam·bling.
- pro·gam·bling, adjective
- re·gam·ble, verb, re·gam·bled, re·gam·bling.
- un·gam·bled, adjective
- un·gam·bling, adjective
Words that may be confused with gamble
- gamble , gambol
Words Nearby gamble
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use gamble in a sentence
Buying into the first generation of a folding product is a gamble—especially when it’s meant to replace your main work device.
The world’s first folding PC is up for pre-orders. Here’s what to know. | Stan Horaczek | September 30, 2020 | Popular-ScienceHer HBO show, I May Destroy You, has been a massive hit and has paid off her gamble from 2017, when she rejected a $1 million Netflix offer to buy the show rights because the streaming giant wouldn’t give her copyright royalties.
Venture capital is by its nature a gamble—it’s right there in the name—and every gamble comes with the risk of heavy losses.
‘How I Built This’ host Guy Raz on insights from some of the world’s most famous entrepreneurs | Rachel King | September 15, 2020 | FortunePouring money into plastics is a desperate gamble for Big Oil.
Big Oil’s hopes are pinned on plastics. It won’t end well. | David Roberts | September 4, 2020 | VoxThat being said, it’s a gamble that in the long run pays a positive net return.
The Economics of Sports Gambling (Ep. 388 Rebroadcast) | Stephen J. Dubner | August 20, 2020 | Freakonomics
Allowing the protests to go on with little interference was always a high-stakes gamble.
De Blasio and the New York City Protesters Have No Blood on Their Hands | Jacob Siegel | December 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSince Nestdrop continues to do so as of this writing, they wager a tense gamble that the odds will be in their favor.
Days Are Numbered for Nestdrop, LA’s ‘Uber for Weed’ | Justin Hampton | December 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut the decision now to sever economic ties with the eastern regions was a surprise—and a gamble.
As a result, the $1 million the DSCC is throwing in represents “an inexpensive gamble,” the source said.
South Dakota's Bizarre Four-Way (Senate Election, That Is) | Ben Jacobs | October 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe pageant came back to Atlantic City and, appropriately, took a big gamble.
If we find him there as Rutter said, you can gamble that trouble has camped in our dooryard for a lengthy stay.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairHe was never so happy as when taking chances; his whole life was a gamble, with Providence holding the bank.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. LockeThey often dine together: the ladies love music and dancing, and some of the men gamble as much as the Portuguese.
Journal of a Voyage to Brazil | Maria GrahamThe Texan went off to rub down his horse, mend his accoutrements, squat around the cooking fires, and gamble with the drivers.
Overland | John William De ForestOld Strang died insolvent; he used to gamble, had ruined himself without saying a word.
The Nabob | Alphonse Daudet
British Dictionary definitions for gamble
/ (ˈɡæmbəl) /
(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 of: to gamble on its being a sunny day
(often foll by away) to lose by or as if by betting; squander
a risky act or venture
a bet, wager, or other risk or chance taken for possible monetary gain
Origin of gamble
1Derived forms of gamble
- gambler, noun
- gambling, noun
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
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