gamble
verb (used without object)
to play at any game of chance for money or other stakes.
had been gambling
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past perfect progressiveof gamble.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
Europe, which delayed its summer stockpiling due to high wholesale costs sparked by the Iran war, had been gambling the conflict would end before winter and prices would in turn fall.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
The hearing, at Leicester Town Hall, had been told Mr Ashton had been gambling more than 100 times a day, including early in the morning and late at night when his wife was asleep.
From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2023
Dashcam video captured the encounter: Rodriguez said they had been gambling in Reno.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 17, 2017
The people his government had been gambling with all along.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 15, 2017
Upon his return Joan, peeping through a crack between the boards, could always tell whether he had been gambling, whether he had won or lost.
From The Border Legion by Zane Grey
