1
a
: something that is laid, staked, or pledged typically between two parties on the outcome of a contest or a contingent issue : wager
—often used figuratively in such phrases as all bets are off to stress the uncertainty of an outcome
b
: the act of giving such a pledge
2
: something to wager on
3
: a choice made by consideration of probabilities
your best bet is the back road
bet also betted; betting
1
a
: to stake on the outcome of an issue or the performance of a contestant
b
: to be able to be sure that
—usually used in the expression you bet
you bet I'll be there
2
a
: to maintain with or as if with a bet
b
: to make a bet with
c
: to make a bet on
: to lay a bet
between
Synonyms
Examples of bet in a Sentence
Noun
He has a bet on the game.
He made a bet with his brother that he could finish his chores first.
He and his brother have a bet about who can finish his chores first.
He lost the bet and had to pay his brother five dollars.
His brother won the bet.
He paid his brother five dollars to settle the bet.
Verb
He bet $5 on the game.
I'll bet that he makes the next shot.
He always bets that the favorite will win.
He lost a lot of money by betting on college football and basketball.
I bet against the favorite and I lost.
I wouldn't bet against her. She's very likely to win this race.
Carmakers are betting that people will want to buy larger, more expensive cars this year.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2023
Raindrops arrive from the south and southeast in the hours after dark, then occasional rain is a good bet through the night.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2023
Finding good, sturdy used knives is a good bet, then take them to a reputable sharpener.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023
Prior to selecting Price, the Canadiens twice placed their bets elsewhere (Andrei Kostitsyn, Cory Urquhart) in the 2003 draft before the Bruins selected Quebec City’s Patrice Bergeron at No. 45.
—Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
Things marked 1 and 2 — and on rare occasion, 5 — are your best bets, experts told CNN, depending on what your municipality can handle.
—Martha Shade, CNN, 16 Sep. 2023
The contracts that expire Friday include options tied to single stocks, as well as options and futures tied to major indexes—all tools for investors to hedge risks or make speculative bets.
—Anna Hirtenstein, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2023
Just days after the MLS Cup final, the team doubled down on that bet, signing Hollingshead to a three-year contract that will guarantee him $515,000 this season, according to the MLS players association.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023
But the best bet might be Idaho, which heads down to Reno to take on Nevada.
—USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023
Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2023
Whereas Amazon has bet big on Thursday night NFL games, Apple TV+ has made a big push for the other football, launching a service this year allowing subscribers to stream all Major League Soccer matches this season.
—WIRED, 22 Sep. 2023
Shares of GameStop, a retailer of video games, zoomed from under $5 to an intraday high of nearly $500 amid a jokey viral campaign by small investors meant to counteract many Wall Street short sellers betting on the stock to collapse.
—Kyle Smith, WSJ, 21 Sep. 2023
And players in the industry are betting big even as rivals wobble and fail.
—Melina Walling, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2023
Advertisement The 35-point lead also matched a betting line that severely underestimated the Bruins (3-0), who went unbeaten in nonconference play for a second consecutive season.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023
It’s guided by the easy suspense and reliable thrill of betting big and winning.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
With its new programming and West Coast edition, ABC News executives and Whitworth are betting that there are also new stories to tell.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Sep. 2023
Our tips for beginners on how to place bet online is a great place to start.
—Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2023
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Noun
The honey glaze adds a sweetness to the nutty spice from the cinnamon, nutmeg, and more.
02
Broccoli Cheese Casserole
This casserole may be your best bet for getting the kids to eat their veggies this holiday!
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2023
Raindrops arrive from the south and southeast in the hours after dark, then occasional rain is a good bet through the night.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2023
Finding good, sturdy used knives is a good bet, then take them to a reputable sharpener.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023
Prior to selecting Price, the Canadiens twice placed their bets elsewhere (Andrei Kostitsyn, Cory Urquhart) in the 2003 draft before the Bruins selected Quebec City’s Patrice Bergeron at No. 45.
—Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
Things marked 1 and 2 — and on rare occasion, 5 — are your best bets, experts told CNN, depending on what your municipality can handle.
—Martha Shade, CNN, 16 Sep. 2023
The contracts that expire Friday include options tied to single stocks, as well as options and futures tied to major indexes—all tools for investors to hedge risks or make speculative bets.
—Anna Hirtenstein, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2023
Just days after the MLS Cup final, the team doubled down on that bet, signing Hollingshead to a three-year contract that will guarantee him $515,000 this season, according to the MLS players association.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023
But the best bet might be Idaho, which heads down to Reno to take on Nevada.
—USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023
Verb
What if the schools had been willing to bet on themselves?
Sept. 22, 2023 2:21 PM PT
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In an alternate universe, Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff’s media strategy would have worked brilliantly.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2023
Whereas Amazon has bet big on Thursday night NFL games, Apple TV+ has made a big push for the other football, launching a service this year allowing subscribers to stream all Major League Soccer matches this season.
—WIRED, 22 Sep. 2023
Shares of GameStop, a retailer of video games, zoomed from under $5 to an intraday high of nearly $500 amid a jokey viral campaign by small investors meant to counteract many Wall Street short sellers betting on the stock to collapse.
—Kyle Smith, WSJ, 21 Sep. 2023
And players in the industry are betting big even as rivals wobble and fail.
—Melina Walling, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2023
Advertisement The 35-point lead also matched a betting line that severely underestimated the Bruins (3-0), who went unbeaten in nonconference play for a second consecutive season.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023
It’s guided by the easy suspense and reliable thrill of betting big and winning.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
With its new programming and West Coast edition, ABC News executives and Whitworth are betting that there are also new stories to tell.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Sep. 2023
Our tips for beginners on how to place bet online is a great place to start.
—Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
origin unknown
First Known Use
Noun
1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
circa 1600, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Phrases Containing bet
Dictionary Entries Near bet
Cite this Entry
“Bet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bet. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
bet
1 of 2 noun1
: an agreement requiring the person whose guess about the result of a contest or the outcome of an event proves wrong to give something to a person whose guess proves right
2
: the money or thing risked
3
: a choice made by considering what might happen
our best bet is to take the back road
bet
2 of 2 verb
bet also betted; betting
1
: to risk in a bet
I'll bet a nickel
2
: to make a bet with
I bet you he won't
3
: to be certain enough to bet
I bet it will rain
More from Merriam-Webster on bet
Nglish: Translation of bet for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of bet for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bet
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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