First Known Use: 1772
Dictionary
1gamble
verb gam·ble \ˈgam-bəl\
: to play a game in which you can win or lose money or possessions : to bet money or other valuable things
: to risk losing (an amount of money) in a game or bet
: to risk losing (something valuable or important) in order to do or achieve something
gam·bledgam·bling \-b(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of GAMBLE
intransitive verb
1
a : to play a game for money or property b : to bet on an uncertain outcome
2
: to stake something on a contingency : take a chance
transitive verb
See gamble defined for English-language learners
See gamble defined for kids
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Origin of GAMBLE
probably back-formation from gambler, probably alteration of obsolete gamner, from obsolete gamen to play
2gamble
noun
: something that could produce a desired result or a bad or unpleasant result
Full Definition of GAMBLE
1
a : an act having an element of risk b : something chancy
2
: the playing of a game of chance for stakes
See gamble defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of GAMBLE
1823
Related to GAMBLE
- Synonyms
- adventure, chance, crapshoot, enterprise, flier (also flyer), flutter [chiefly British], speculation, throw, venture
- Antonyms
- sure thing
GAMBLER Defined for Kids
1gamble
verb gam·ble \ˈgam-bəl\
gam·bledgam·bling
Definition of GAMBLE for Kids
1
: to play a game in which something (as money) can be won or lost : bet
2
: to take a chance <I gambled on not being seen.>
— gam·bler \ˈgam-blər\ noun
2gamble
noun
Definition of GAMBLE for Kids
: something that could produce a good or bad result : risk <Starting a business can be a gamble.>
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