Slang dictionary
bet
[ bet ]
What does bet mean?
You’re using Dictionary.com to look up something you don’t know? Bet! Bet is a slang term of affirmation, agreement, or approval along the lines of “Cool!” or “I’m down!” It can also suggest doubt or disbelief: “Yeah, sure.”
Where does bet come from?
The slang bet appears to come from the everyday word bet, “a wager” or “to risk something of value.” By the 1850s, we were saying You bet! as an affirmative exclamation with the sense of “Indeed!” This expression has the underlying notion of You can bet that it is so or That’s a bet.
Bet Thoroughbreds
The slang bet is evidenced by the 1990s, recorded in a collection of campus slang (and likely popularized by Black popular culture). It was an early entry on Urban Dictionary in 2003–04. It’s typically used as an exclamation: “Bet!” That has the sense of “Excellent!” or, to draw on a similar slang expression, “Word!”
Examples of bet
Who uses bet?
Bet is generally used as an exclamation with the force of an excited “OK!” For instance, if your friend asks, You want to check out that new taco place tonight?, you could answer, OK. Bet. Sounds good.
the hardest part about going to the gym is actually going to the gym. after I get there I’m like ok bet, let’s get this work 😂
— meya (@tameyarochelle_) January 16, 2020
In some instances, bet can suggest doubt, with a sarcastic tone. For example, if a friend touts, I’m going to be a billionaire by the time I’m 30, you might answer, OK. Bet. This bet would appear to be short for an ironic Oh, I bet you will. It can also express a kind of judging bewilderment, à la OK, this is how it’s going to be now?!
It’s also worth noting that BET is an acronym for Black Entertainment Television. Pioneered by Robert L. Johnson, the BET cable network premiered in the 1980 and has been a major influence in black music, news, comedy, and culture ever since.
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of bet like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of bet that will help our users expand their word mastery.