# gamble

Pronunciation: say "GAM-buhl" /ˈɡæm.bəl/

## Verb

1. To play games of chance, especially casino games, for the chance of winning money.
   - Simple: To play games of chance, like cards or slots, hoping to win money.
   - _She gambles every Friday at the riverboat casino downtown._
   - _They gamble cautiously, never betting more than they can afford to lose._
2. To take a significant risk in the hope of a favorable outcome.
   - Simple: To take a risk because something good might come from it.
   - _Investors gamble on startups that may either soar or collapse._
   - _He gambled on an early product launch and won a huge share of the market._
3. To stake something of value on an uncertain outcome in the hope of gain.
   - Simple: To risk something you value, hoping to gain something better.
   - _She gambled her reputation on the controversial study._
   - _They gamble enormous sums on commodity prices each quarter._
7. To play the slot machines or other gaming equipment found in a casino.
   - Simple: To play money games on machines at a casino.
   - _She gambles on the slot machines every time she's in town._
   - _Visitors gamble at row after row of electronic machines._

## Noun

4. A significant risk taken in the hope of a worthwhile gain.
   - Simple: A big risk you take because something good might happen.
   - _Moving abroad without a job lined up was a real gamble._
   - _The general's surprise attack was a gamble that changed the war._
5. A venture undertaken despite a real chance that it will fail.
   - Simple: A plan or project that could easily go wrong.
   - _The merger was a gamble that the board ultimately approved._
   - _Investing everything in one crop is a dangerous gamble for farmers._
6. A sum of money staked on an uncertain outcome; a bet.
   - Simple: An amount of money you bet on a game or race.
   - _He lost his entire gamble on the final hand of poker._
   - _A reckless gamble at the racetrack cost her a month's wages._

## Origin

It comes from earlier 'gamel', from Middle English variants of 'gamenen', going back to Old English 'gamenian' ('to joke; play'), which is related to Old English 'gamen' ('joy, mirth, pastime, sport, game'). In effect it is 'game' plus the ending '-le', with cognates in Old Danish 'gammel' and Middle High German 'gamel' ('pleasure, fun').

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/gamble (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).