vigorish

noun

vig·​o·​rish ˈvi-gə-rish How to pronounce vigorish (audio)
1
: a charge taken (as by a bookie or a gambling house) on bets
also : the degree of such a charge
a vigorish of five percent
2
: interest paid to a moneylender

Examples of vigorish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Businesses might decide to absorb some wage increases and other costs, such as fuel, without passing them all on to consumers and tacking on additional vigorish. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2022 In sports betting, the vigorish, or vig, is typically -110 for spread and total bets. Christopher Smith, al, 17 Sep. 2019 In terms of building regular traffic, state lawmakers have every urgency to ensure that customers pay no more than the usual 10 percent vigorish. Steve Rosenbloom, chicagotribune.com, 17 May 2018 There was no need for a credit card reader, cutting point-of- sale system providers — and their vigorish — out of the equation. Daniel Roth, WIRED, 22 Feb. 2010

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Ukrainian vygrash or Russian vyigrysh winnings, profit

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vigorish was in 1912

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vigorish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vigorish. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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