parlay
Americanverb (used with object)
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to bet or gamble (an original amount and its winnings) on a subsequent race, contest, etc.
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Informal. to use (one's money, talent, or other assets) to achieve a desired objective, as spectacular wealth or success.
He parlayed a modest inheritance into a fortune.
noun
verb
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Brit equivalent: double up. to stake (winnings from one bet) on a subsequent wager
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to exploit (one's talent) to achieve worldly success
noun
Usage
What does parlay mean? In gambling, to parlay a bet means to “let it ride”—to wager the original amount and any winnings on a subsequent bet. Parlay can also be used as a noun to refer to such a bet.Sometimes it means something more specific, especially in the context of sports betting: a single wager that depends on the outcome of multiple events, most commonly sports games.Parlay can also be used in a general way meaning to use a resource, such as money or talent, to achieve an outcome, such as wealth or success.Example: I always end up trying to parlay my winnings and then losing everything.
Etymology
Origin of parlay
An Americanism first recorded in 1820–30; alteration of earlier paroli, from French, from Neapolitan Italian, plural of parolo, perhaps derivative of paro “equal,” from Latin pār; pair 1
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.
One mark against prediction markets for FanDuel: The nature of event contracts make it difficult to replicate parlay bets, one of the most profitable types of wagers for a sportsbook.
From Barron's
These include a recently announced “combo” feature that allows users to combine sports wagers — similar to a parlay — and a live-sports contract hub.
From MarketWatch
Robinhood earlier this week launched a “preset combo” product within its prediction markets offerings, which closely resembles a parlay bet.
Tom Hicks, who died at 79, parlayed an early mastery of leveraged buyouts to create one of the world’s first modern professional sports empire.
From MarketWatch
If we keep parlaying the meaningful moments, we’ll lose the things worth winning.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
