gamble

verb

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gam·ble | \ ˈgam-bəl

gambled; gambling\ ˈgam-b(ə-)liŋ

Definition of gamble

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to play a game for money or property

b : to bet on an uncertain outcome

2 : to stake something on a contingency (see contingency sense 1) : take a chance

transitive verb

1 : to risk by gambling : wager

2 : venture, hazard

gamble

noun

Definition of gamble (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : an act having an element of risk

b : something chancy

2 : the playing of a game of chance for stakes

Other Words from gamble Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about gamble

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Examples of gamble in a Sentence

Verb He's been drinking and gambling heavily. He would often gamble hundreds of dollars on a hand of poker. The mayor is gambling with the city's future. people who lost money gambling in the stock market The mayor is gambling that the new policies will help rather than hurt the city. Noun Starting her own business was a gamble, but it paid off. She thought about starting her own business, but she decided it was too much of a gamble.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The Blue Darters set out to gamble more on offense against the Patriots incorporating more passes than the coaching staff typically implements with its option offense. — Luis Torres, orlandosentinel.com, "Jaquan Lowman’s 3 TDs help No. 1 Apopka defeat Lake Brantley," 2 Oct. 2020 That environment starts within 10 feet of the front door, where there are six Historical Racing Machines to gamble on. — Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, "Inside the new $38.4 million Newport Racing & Gaming facility," 1 Oct. 2020 Among the early arrivals Wednesday were Ray and Bertha Suarez of Del Rio, recipients of VIP invitations, who, since the Lucky Eagle’s closure, had been going to Oklahoma to gamble. — John Maccormack, ExpressNews.com, "Kickapoo casino once again beckons gamblers," 1 Oct. 2020 Carl Tuch, an electrical engineer, woke up on Labor Day, grabbed his two suitcases and hopped on a 6 a.m. flight from Syracuse to Las Vegas ready to gamble. — Kevin Armstrong, New York Times, "With Kids in Sports Bubbles, These Parents Are Desperate for a Way In," 22 Sep. 2020 These workers are expected to essentially gamble for a good paycheck, when people in other industries generally know how much they’ll be paid from week to week. — Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, "How much should you be tipping during coronavirus?," 3 Sep. 2020 This vacuum in the rulebook has even raised speculation that teams might gamble to seize the yellow jersey this weekend in the Pyrenees, just in case the curtain comes down on Monday. — Joshua Robinson, WSJ, "The Tour de France Braces for Its Most Stressful Stage: Covid Testing," 5 Sep. 2020 But can the Sox gamble on so much inexperience in the rotation in the thick of a pennant race? — Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Rather than ponder promise, GM Rick Hahn should add another starting pitcher before the trade deadline. The future is now — and the White Sox need to go for it.," 29 Aug. 2020 Even Bobbi, who accompanied her husband to the pickup game, was surprised Olson wanted to gamble on the 6-foot-2, 160-pound sharpshooter. — Connor Letourneau, SFChronicle.com, "How Lute Olson led Steve Kerr through some of his darkest moments," 28 Aug. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun While neither senator's votes are necessary for Barrett’s confirmation, withholding support for a woman who could potentially be on the court for the rest of their lives could be a reputational gamble. — Kerry Picket, Washington Examiner, "Two Republican women could be only GOP votes against Amy Coney Barrett," 28 Sep. 2020 The governor’s decision to fully reopen the state is a political gamble that could come back to haunt Republicans if deaths and case numbers climb again, said Aubrey Jewett, a professor of political science at the University of Central Florida. — Wayne K. Roustan, sun-sentinel.com, "Bars reopen in South Florida after DeSantis vows coronavirus closures are over. Some call it a political gamble.," 26 Sep. 2020 The novel was an immense gamble and an equally immense success, selling millions of copies and creating a template for the sort of vast historical dramas that would dominate Follett’s fiction in the years to come. — Bill Sheehan, Washington Post, "Ken Follett’s ‘Pillars of the Earth’ prequel is just as transporting — and lengthy — as his famous epic," 22 Sep. 2020 Meanwhile, some companies are taking a gamble that the weather cooperates. — Sheila Regan Special To The Star Tribune, Star Tribune, "Twin Cities dance community puts its toe into uncharted territory this fall," 17 Sep. 2020 The gamble is that abhorrence of Trump is sufficiently strong to motivate voters and that Biden and Harris, rather than tapping into their wrath and dread, can therefore offer them comfort and empathy instead. — Fintan O’toole, The New York Review of Books, "Night and Day," 26 Aug. 2020 And because there haven’t been known sales of these statues, collectors wouldn’t be able to tell what one is worth, so investing would be a gamble. — Washington Post, "Why a Russian billionaire wants to buy controversial statues that were taken down," 21 Sep. 2020 Since the reserve studies are designed to gradually accumulate repair funds at about the same pace as deterioration, any funding below the recommendation is a gamble. — Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, "HOA Homefront: The reserve fund – How much is too much?," 12 Sep. 2020 Although not as difficult as what Burrow faces with the Bengals, Brady recognizes there's a gamble in his move, even as he is surrounded by outstanding offensive talent. — Barry Wilner, Star Tribune, "NFL 2020: Who really knows what to expect on field and off?," 28 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gamble.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.