wager

1 of 3

noun (1)

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 3

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

wagerer

3 of 3

noun (2)

wa·​ger·​er ˈwājərə(r) 

plural -s

: one that wagers : bettor

Synonyms of wager

Noun (1)

• stake
• bet

Verb

• bet
• put

Examples of wager in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

Home run wagers are long-shot bets with long odds, so carefully selecting ones with a mix of favorable odds and reasonable odds of success can generate a profit. —Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

The controversy over the Osasuna wager suggests that prediction markets could potentially serve the same purpose as insurance. —Camila Grigera Naon, Fortune, 12 June 2026

Verb

Some bettors might be wagering in anticipation of one last great run by either or both of them. —ABC News, 10 June 2026

Whether your fandom is avid or casual, driven by money wagered or just by the glory of athleticism at its best, finding something to love right now ought not be hard. —Greg Cote june 10, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Rhymes for wager

• ager
• gauger
• pager
• stager
• yager
• teenager

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