gamble

[gam-buhl]

verb (used without object)

gambled, gambling 

1. to play at any game of chance for money or other stakes.

2. to stake or risk money, or anything of value, on the outcome of something involving chance.

   to gamble on a toss of the dice.

verb (used with object)

gambled, gambling 

1. to lose or squander by betting (usually followed byaway ).

   He gambled all his hard-earned money away in one night.

2. to wager or risk (money or something else of value).

   to gamble one's freedom.

3. to take a chance on; venture; risk.

   I'm gambling that our new store will be a success.

noun

1. any matter or thing involving risk or hazardous uncertainty.

   Synonyms: flier, speculation, hazard, venture

2. a venture in a game of chance for stakes, especially for high stakes.

gamble

/ ˈɡæmbəl /

verb

1. (intr) to play games of chance to win money

2. to risk or bet (money) on the outcome of an event, sport, etc

3. to act with the expectation of

   to gamble on its being a sunny day

4. (often foll by away) to lose by or as if by betting; squander

noun

1. a risky act or venture

2. a bet, wager, or other risk or chance taken for possible monetary gain

Other Word Forms

• gambler noun
• gambling noun
• antigambling adjective
• nongambler noun
• outgamble verb (used with object)
• overgamble verb (used with object)
• progambling adjective
• regamble verb
• ungambled adjective
• ungambling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gamble¹

1150–1200; Middle English gamenen to play ( Old English gamenian ), with substitution of -le for -en; game ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of gamble¹

C18: probably variant of _game ¹

Example Sentences

Can Sphere win big on its risky gamble that there’s no place like dome?

From Los Angeles Times

Maya, his second wife, watches as he gambles his reputation to work on the pet project — time travel — of an eccentric billionaire.

From Los Angeles Times

Its design also appears to value efficiency over unnecessary gambles.

From Los Angeles Times

He took the gamble, he said, because the “connection with the outside world was far greater than the consequences of me getting caught with the phone.”

From Los Angeles Times

Two years in, he gambled and switched to the Navy Academy at Annapolis, on Chesapeake Bay, in the hope of working with his beloved rockets.

From BBC

Related Words

• bet 
• long shot 
• venture 
• wager