gamble

SayGAM-buhl/ˈɡæm.bəl/

Noun pluralgambles

7 meanings of gamble

1
verbintransitive
To play games of chance, like cards or slots, hoping to win money.
Like putting your pocket money on a coin flip and hoping it lands your way.
Many tourists gamble at the casinos along the strip.
He likes to gamble on the weekends with friends.
Similarbet, wager, game
2
verbintransitive
To take a risk because something good might come from it.
Like jumping into cold water, not knowing if you'll love it or hate it.
You have to gamble sometimes if you want to win big.
She decided to gamble and quit her job to start a bakery.
Similarbet, speculate
3
verbtransitive
To risk something you value, hoping to gain something better.
Like betting your favorite toy in a game, hoping to win a bigger one.
He gambled his savings on a single business deal.
Don't gamble money you cannot afford to lose.
Similarstake, risk, bet, wager, hazard
4
nouncountable
A big risk you take because something good might happen.
Like spending your savings on a lottery ticket that might win big or win nothing.
Buying that old house was a gamble, but it paid off.
Starting a business is always a bit of a gamble.
Similarrisk, chance
Oppositecertainty
5
nouncountable
A plan or project that could easily go wrong.
Like building a sandcastle close to the waves: it might stand or wash away.
The new restaurant was a gamble in such a small town.
Their expansion overseas turned out to be a costly gamble.
Similarrisk, venture, speculation
Oppositecertainty
6
nouncountable
An amount of money you bet on a game or race.
Like putting a coin on red and waiting for the wheel to stop.
He placed a small gamble on the home team.
Her gamble on the last race won her fifty dollars.
Similarbet, wager, stake
7
verbintransitive
To play money games on machines at a casino.
Like feeding coins into an arcade machine, hoping for a prize.
Grandma loves to gamble on the slot machines for hours.
They gamble at the machines whenever they visit the casino.
Similarbet, play

Practice

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Origin

It comes from an old word linked to Old English 'gamen', meaning fun, play, or sport. It is basically related to the word 'game'.