wager

American  

[wey-jer] / ˈweɪ dʒər /

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.

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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 British  

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

4. 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

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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)

Other Word Forms

• rewager
  verb
• superwager
  noun
• unwagered
  adjective
• wagerer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of wager

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

Explanation

To wager is to bet: you might say to your fellow train passengers, "I'll wager ten dollars that we won't get to Chicago on time." You can use the word wager as either a noun or a verb, to mean "place a bet" or "the amount of money being risked in a bet." So you could offer a wager at the poker table, or ask if anyone wants to wager on Monday's football game. Either way you use it, wager is a Middle English word that comes from the Old North French wage, "to pledge."

Example Sentences

The platforms aim to write clear yes-or-no questions for traders to wager on.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

It's odd to say, but I'd wager that most of us would rather live in a poor country where things are improving, than a richer one where everything seems to be in decline.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

Prediction markets differ from traditional gambling firms by connecting two opposing bettors, rather than having bettors wager against the proverbial house.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

The mention-market bets, where users wager on what a person will say during a public appearance, routinely pay out less often than expected, according to the Journal’s analysis.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

He was sure enough about it to have made some account-closing bets on the horse, at least one as a side wager with his father, and he was a great deal poorer for it.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• gamble
• put up
• speculate