penny ante

See synonyms for: penny antepenny antes on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. Cards. a game of poker in which the ante or basic bet is one cent.

  2. Informal. any business arrangement or transaction involving a trifling or paltry sum of money.

Origin of penny ante

1
An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Words Nearby penny ante

Other definitions for penny-ante (2 of 2)

penny-ante
[ pen-ee-an-tee ]

adjectiveInformal.
  1. involving a trifling sum of money; small in amount: a penny-ante investment.

  2. inconsiderable; minor; small-time.

Origin of penny-ante

2
An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use penny ante in a sentence

  • I'm goin' to be settin' in at a little penny-ante in Elmer Rogers' back room over to the Centre.

    Galusha the Magnificent | Joseph C. Lincoln
  • “You can say anything you like to me, Miss penny ante,” he replied encouragingly.

    Penny of Top Hill Trail | Belle Kanaris Maniates