parlay

[ pahr-ley, -lee ]

/ ˈpɑr leɪ, -li /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR parlay ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to bet or gamble (an original amount and its winnings) on a subsequent race, contest, etc.

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

a bet of an original sum and the subsequent winnings.

Nearby words

Origin of parlay

1820–30, Americanism; alteration of earlier paroli < French < Neapolitan Italian, plural of parolo, perhaps derivative of paro equal < Latin pār; see pair

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for parlay

Ditto Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who won easily, and might parlay his success into a presidential bid.
For Conservatives, Liberal Tears Taste Sweet|Matt Lewis|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An unfettered Lagarde could parlay her stint managing crises in Washington for glittering new adventures.
IMF Chief Lagarde Placed Under Formal Investigation in France|Tracy McNicoll|August 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Smartphone apps like Grindr have been able to parlay that acceleration of trust (and, dare we say, desire) into a big business.
Generation Naive: Why Young People Can’t Help Falling for Strangers Online|Caitlin Dickson|March 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Can she parlay her position and knowledge gained on the House Intelligence Committee into credibility as commander in chief?
CNN Foreign-Policy GOP Presidential Debate Crystal Ball|Mark McKinnon|November 22, 2011|DAILY BEAST

It is not entirely clear how McCotter intends to parlay these issues into a compelling call to arms.
2012’s Invisible Candidate|Michelle Cottle|August 12, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Others might falter on the way; might palter with the truth; might parlay with the enemy.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 104, March 4, 1893|Various
The rest of them followed his example, pausing once to watch one of Parlay's shell sheds go down in ruin.
A Son Of The Sun|Jack London
Parlay looked at the barometer, giggled, and leered around at his guests.
A Son Of The Sun|Jack London
There was no sign of life where Parlay's big house perched on the sand.
A Son Of The Sun|Jack London
They had been forced to stand a good five yards away during the parlay, cut off from direct contact by the Imperial guards.
Despoilers of the Golden Empire|Gordon Randall Garrett

British Dictionary definitions for parlay

parlay

/ (ˈpɑːlɪ) US and Canadian /

verb (tr)

to stake (winnings from one bet) on a subsequent wagerBrit equivalent: double up

to exploit (one's talent) to achieve worldly success

noun

a bet in which winnings from one wager are staked on another, or a series of such bets

Word Origin for parlay

C19: variant of paroli, via French from Neapolitan Italian parolo, from paro a pair, from Latin pār equal, par

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 parlay

parlay

1701, parloi, term in the card game faro, from French paroli, from Italian parole (Neapolitan paroli) "words, promises," plural of parolo (see parole). Meaning "exploit to advantage" is from 1942.

parlay

verb (used with object)

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of parlay

Examples from the Web for parlay

parlay

verb (tr)

noun

Word Origin for parlay

parlay