wager

1 of 2

noun

wa·​ger ˈwā-jər 

1

a

: something (such as a sum of money) risked on an uncertain event : stake

b

: something on which bets are laid : gamble

do a stunt as a wager

2

archaic : an act of giving a pledge to take and abide by the result of some action

wager

2 of 2

verb

wagered; wagering

ˈwāj-riŋ,

ˈwā-jə- 

intransitive verb

: to make a bet

transitive verb

: to risk or venture on a final outcome

specifically : to lay as a gamble : bet

wager $5 on a horse

wagerer

ˈwā-jər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• bet
• stake

Verb

• bet
• gamble
• go
• lay
• play
• put
• stake

Examples of wager in a Sentence

Noun

He has a wager on the game.

I don't think the horse will win. What's your wager?

Verb

She wagered $50 on the game.

I wouldn't wager against them.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

One of the newer arrivals in the world of online sports betting is making a wager of its own. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 6 Sep. 2024

The Cowboys are one of the most popular teams to bet on via the DraftKings platform, even though Texas doesn’t yet allow sports betting, so the app can’t take wager within the state borders, DraftKings CEO Jason Robins told CNBC Thursday. —Michael Ozanian, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2024

Verb

But with the first (and quite possibly last) 2024 debate in America’s rearview mirror and the election on the horizon, many are left wondering and wagering about what is to come next. —Chloe Berger, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2024

Some key games down the stretch in September are worth watching and wagering as the top teams battle for a playoff position and a shot at the AL and NL pennant. —Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English wageour pledge, bet, from Anglo-French wageure, from *wager

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1602, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing wager

• place/make a wager

Kids Definition

wager

1 of 2 noun

wa·​ger ˈwā-jər 

1

: something (as a sum of money) risked on an uncertain event : bet

2

: something (as the outcome of a game or race) on which a bet is made

: gamble

wager

2 of 2 verb

wagered; wagering ˈwāj-(ə-)riŋ 

: to bet on the outcome of a contest or question

wagerer

ˈwā-jər-ər 

noun