bookmaker

noun

book·​mak·​er ˈbu̇k-ˌmā-kər 

1

: a printer, binder, or designer of books

2

: a person who determines odds and receives and pays off bets

bookmaking

ˈbu̇k-ˌmā-kiŋ 

noun

Examples of bookmaker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Another interview by Thompson is with bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, who explains on tape that his relationship with Mizuhara began during a hotel poker game with Angels players. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

This might have been a major disappointment at another time, but it was barely acknowledged then, because the national team emerged from the tournament as the bookmakers’ overwhelming favorite to win the World Cup. — Juan Claudio Matossian, Vanity Fair, 19 July 2026

Spain, meanwhile, is the favorite with most bookmakers and carries a 37-match unbeaten run across all competitions into Sunday’s final, winning 28 of those games and drawing nine. — Mark Hodge, NBC news, 17 July 2026

With Argentina now just two victories away and France just one away from another showdown, bookmakers believe France versus Argentina is the most likely final still on the table. — Dean Jones, New York Times, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bookmaker

noun

book·​mak·​er ˈbu̇k-ˌmā-kər 

: a person who receives and pays off bets

Legal Definition

bookmaker

noun

book·​mak·​er ˈbu̇k-ˌmā-kər 

: a person who determines odds and receives and pays off bets

called also bookie