wager

[ wey-jer ]

/ ˈweɪ dʒər /

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See synonyms for: wager / wagerer on Thesaurus.com

noun

something risked or staked on an uncertain event; bet: to place a wager on a soccer match.

the act of betting.

the subject or terms of a bet.

Early English Law. a pledge to make good one's cause by the supporting oaths of others or by battle.

verb (used with object)

to risk (something) on the outcome of a contest or any uncertain event or matter; bet.

History/Historical. to pledge oneself to (battle) for the decision of a cause.

verb (used without object)

to make or offer a wager; bet.

OTHER WORDS FOR wager

1 stake, hazard, risk.

5 stake, venture.

See synonyms for wager on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of wager

1275–1325; Middle English wajour, wager solemn pledge <Anglo-French wageure, equivalent to wage(r) to pledge (see wage) + -ure-ure

OTHER WORDS FROM wager

wa·ger·er, nounre·wa·ger, verb, nounsu·per·wa·ger, nounun·wa·gered, adjective

Words nearby wager

wage determination, wage differential, wage earner, wage incentive, wage-push inflation, wager, wages, wage scale, wages council, wage slave, wageworker

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use wager in a sentence

After all, states have bet big on betting and, in most cases, are still waiting for the long-shot wager to pay off.
Sports gambling could be the pandemic’s biggest winner|Jonathan D. Cohen|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
When bets are structured this way, if you win one, the likelihood of winning the next wager increases.
We Tried To Predict Which Word Amanda Gorman Would Say First At The Super Bowl|Josh Hermsmeyer|February 3, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
Alas, the ships are late, the wager falls apart, and the merchant has to pay up.
The cloud of impeachment hangs over the markets—even Bitcoin is sinking|Bernhard Warner|January 11, 2021|Fortune
With vaccines the wager is much simpler—it is indeed more like Pascal’s original wager.
Vaccines Are the Safest Medical Procedure We Have. Make Your Wager Wisely - Facts So Romantic|Stuart Firestein|December 29, 2020|Nautilus

So here are few things to keep in mind as you go about making your wagers this week — or even just trying to impress your friends.
Masters picks: The best bets to put on the green jacket|Matt Bonesteel|November 11, 2020|Washington Post
Since Nestdrop continues to do so as of this writing, they wager a tense gamble that the odds will be in their favor.
Days Are Numbered for Nestdrop, LA’s ‘Uber for Weed’|Justin Hampton|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But I would wager that Sherrard would agree on the need to address income inequality.
Ted Cruz and the Times Square Anarchist Puppeteer|Dean Obeidallah|April 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He developed a heuristic for betting on Daily Doubles (which resulted in a wager of $5, the minimum allowed).
How I Taught Arthur Chu to Be the ‘Jeopardy!’ Champ Everyone Loves to Hate|Keith Williams|February 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A messenger bettor is a person who places a wager for the benefit of another for compensation.
Las Vegas Betting Scandal Earns $5.5 Million Fine but the Boss Walks|John L. Smith|January 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It seems incongruous that such a self-styled truth teller should wager his liberty on a godfather like Correa.
Ecuador Needs U.S. Aid. Will They Risk It All with Snowden?|Mac Margolis|June 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Sir Herbert's squire, Thomas du Bois, joined in his master's confident wager.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison
I am not only sure he hasn't, but I would wager that he wants to change her grave simply in order to have one more look at her.
Camille (La Dame aux Camilias)|Alexandre Dumas, fils
Ill wager that he sees a way to make money out of Lil Pendleton, or he wouldnt stand for it.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
Ill wager that greasy foreigner has got a wife and ten childrenand neglects them.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
Such a contract may be a wager, which is forbidden by law, or it may be legal, as we shall soon learn.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles

British Dictionary definitions for wager

wager

/ (ˈweɪdʒə) /

noun

an agreement or pledge to pay an amount of money as a result of the outcome of an unsettled matter

an amount staked on the outcome of such a matter or event

wager of battle (in medieval Britain) a pledge to do battle for a cause, esp to decide guilt or innocence by single combat

wager of law English legal history a form of trial in which the accused offered to make oath of his innocence, supported by the oaths of 11 of his neighbours declaring their belief in his statements

verb

(when tr, may take a clause as object) to risk or bet (something) on the outcome of an unsettled matter

(tr) history to pledge oneself to (battle)

Derived forms of wager

wagerer, noun

Word Origin for wager

C14: from Anglo-French wageure a pledge, from Old Northern French wagier to pledge; see wage

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

wager

OTHER WORDS FOR wager

Origin of wager

OTHER WORDS FROM wager

Words nearby wager

Words related to wager

How to use wager in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for wager

Derived forms of wager

Word Origin for wager