gambler

noun

gam·​bler -blə(r) 

plural -s

: one that gambles: such as

a

: one that habitually plays games of chance for money : gamester

b

: one that for pay or other financial advantage provides the space and equipment needed to permit others to gamble

c

: one that takes risks

if a publisher doesn't want to be a gambler, he shouldn't be a publisher

—Publishers' Weekly

specifically : speculator

the … financial gamblers who now have all our livelihoods at their mercy

—G. B. Shaw

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of obsolete English gamner, gamener, from obsolete English gamen, verb, to play (from Middle English gamenen, from Old English gamenian) + English -er; akin to Old Norse gamna to amuse; denominative from the root of Old English gamen game

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined above

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Rhymes for gambler

• ambler
• rambler