bet
verb
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
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Slang Meaning of Bet
Bet is an informal affirmative, sometimes used jokingly, similar to “For sure!” or “Great!” It can express enthusiastic affirmation, agreement, or approval. Learn more >
Examples of bet in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Golden Tempo, the winner of the 2026 Kentucky Derby and third-betting choice in the Belmont Stakes, didn’t run in the Preakness Stakes.
—
Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
Some homeowners are betting the weather will be on their side.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026
Renegade, the Kentucky Derby runner-up trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, was bet down to 8-5 after opening at 2-1 on the morning line.
—CBS News, 6 June 2026
On the crypto betting platform Polymarket, Platner’s odds have a similar drop, falling from 78% in on May 23 to 60% as of early Saturday.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bet
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
Some homeowners are betting the weather will be on their side.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026
Renegade, the Kentucky Derby runner-up trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, was bet down to 8-5 after opening at 2-1 on the morning line.
—CBS News, 6 June 2026
On the crypto betting platform Polymarket, Platner’s odds have a similar drop, falling from 78% in on May 23 to 60% as of early Saturday.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bet
Cite this Entry
“Bet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bet. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bet
1 of 2 noun
1
: 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
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