gamble

¹gam·ble

verb \ˈgam-bəl\

gam·bledgam·bling\-b(ə-)liŋ\

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

1

: to risk by gambling : wager

2

: venture, hazard

— gam·bler \-blər\ noun

Examples of GAMBLE

1. He's been drinking and gambling heavily.
2. He would often gamble hundreds of dollars on a hand of poker.
3. The mayor is gambling with the city's future.
4. people who lost money gambling in the stock market
5. The mayor is gambling that the new policies will help rather than hurt the city.

Origin of GAMBLE

probably back-formation from gambler, probably alteration of obsolete gamner, from obsolete gamen to play

First Known Use: 1772

Related to GAMBLE

Synonyms: bet, go, lay, play, put, stake, wager

Related Words: bid, offer; adventure, chance, hazard, speculate, venture; endanger, imperil, jeopardize

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Rhymes with GAMBLE

amble, bramble, gambol, ramble, scramble, shamble