wager

[ wey-jer ]

noun

1. something risked or staked on an uncertain event; bet:

   to place a wager on a soccer match.

   Synonyms: risk, hazard, stake

2. the act of betting.
3. the subject or terms of a bet.
4. Early English Law. a pledge to make good one's cause by the supporting oaths of others or by battle.

verb (used with object)

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

   Synonyms: venture, stake

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

verb (used without object)

1. to make or offer a wager; bet.

wager

/ ˈweɪdʒə /

noun

1. an agreement or pledge to pay an amount of money as a result of the outcome of an unsettled matter
2. an amount staked on the outcome of such a matter or event
3. wager of battle
   (in medieval Britain) a pledge to do battle for a cause, esp to decide guilt or innocence by single combat
4. 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

1. when tr, may take a clause as object to risk or bet (something) on the outcome of an unsettled matter
2. tr history to pledge oneself to (battle)

Derived Forms

• ˈwagerer, noun

Other Words From

• wager·er noun
• re·wager verb noun
• super·wager noun
• un·wagered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wager¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of wager¹

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

Example Sentences

After all, states have bet big on betting and, in most cases, are still waiting for the long-shot wager to pay off.

From Washington Post

When bets are structured this way, if you win one, the likelihood of winning the next wager increases.

From FiveThirtyEight

Alas, the ships are late, the wager falls apart, and the merchant has to pay up.

From Fortune

With vaccines the wager is much simpler—it is indeed more like Pascal’s original wager.

From 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.

From 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.

From The Daily Beast

But I would wager that Sherrard would agree on the need to address income inequality.

From The Daily Beast

He developed a heuristic for betting on Daily Doubles (which resulted in a wager of $5, the minimum allowed).

From The Daily Beast

A messenger bettor is a person who places a wager for the benefit of another for compensation.

From The Daily Beast

It seems incongruous that such a self-styled truth teller should wager his liberty on a godfather like Correa.

From The Daily Beast

Sir Herbert's squire, Thomas du Bois, joined in his master's confident wager.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

Ill wager that he sees a way to make money out of Lil Pendleton, or he wouldnt stand for it.

From Project Gutenberg

Ill wager that greasy foreigner has got a wife and ten childrenand neglects them.

From Project Gutenberg

Such a contract may be a wager, which is forbidden by law, or it may be legal, as we shall soon learn.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• gamble
• put up
• speculate