Definition of gamble
gambled
;gambling
play \ˈgam-b(ə-)liŋ\intransitive verb
1a : to play a game for money or propertyb : to bet on an uncertain outcome
2 : to stake something on a contingency : take a chance (see contingency 2)
transitive verb
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Examples of gamble in a sentence
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.
Origin and Etymology of gamble
probably back-formation from gambler, perhaps alteration (by dissimilation, or substitution of the frequentative suffix -le) of early Modern English gamner “player in a game,” from gamen “to play” (going back to Middle English gamenen, going back to Old English gamenian, derivative of gamen 1game) + -er 2-er
First Known Use: 1757
gamble
Definition of gamble
1a : an act having an element of riskb : something chancy
2 : the playing of a game of chance for stakes
Examples of gamble in a sentence
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.
Origin and Etymology of gamble
noun derivative of 1gamble
First Known Use: 1823
GAMBLE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of gamble for English Language Learners
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: to play a game in which you can win or lose money or possessions : to bet money or other valuable things
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: to risk losing (an amount of money) in a game or bet
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: to risk losing (something valuable or important) in order to do or achieve something
gamble
Definition of gamble for English Language Learners
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: something that could produce a desired result or a bad or unpleasant result
GAMBLE Defined for Kids
Law Dictionary
Learn More about gamble
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See words that rhyme with gamble Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gamble Spanish Central: Translation of gamble Nglish: Translation of gamble for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of gamble for Arabic speakers
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