lottery

[lot-uh-ree]

noun

plural

lotteries 

1. a gambling game or method of raising money, as for some public charitable purpose, in which a large number of tickets are sold and a drawing is held for certain prizes.

2. any scheme for the distribution of prizes by chance.

3. any happening or process that is or appears to be determined by chance.

   to look upon life as a lottery.

lottery

/ ˈlɒtərɪ /

noun

1. a method of raising money by selling numbered tickets and giving a proportion of the money raised to holders of numbers drawn at random

2. a similar method of raising money in which players select a small group of numbers out of a larger group printed on a ticket. If a player's selection matches some or all of the numbers drawn at random the player wins a proportion of the prize fund

3. an activity or endeavour the success of which is regarded as a matter of fate or luck

Other Word Forms

• antilottery adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lottery¹

First recorded in 1560–70, lottery is from the Middle Dutch word loterie (whence also French loterie ). See lot, -ery

Word History and Origins

Origin of lottery¹

C16: from Old French loterie, from Middle Dutch loterije. See _lot

Example Sentences

While it is hard to win a lottery, it is easier than one might imagine to leave it unclaimed.

From BBC

"It would be like winning four lotteries in a row. You've got to use a bit of common sense and be sensible and logical about it."

From BBC

He says he won "the postcode lottery of birth" being born in the north west of England into a loving family and being sent to a good school.

From BBC

"It is like winning the lottery 10 times over," says Gemma, 45.

From BBC

The toys are now sold through an online lottery system.

From BBC

Related Words

• gambling 
• raffle 
• sweepstake