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

Kalshi is still allowing wagers related to what people say at political events, earnings calls and live TV newscasts. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026

In IconArrows pointing outwards Berkshire also continued to build a sizable wager on the airline industry, a past favorite of Buffett's. — Yun Li, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

That is the legal hook that does not exist on SafeBets, where no user ever wagers anything. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Baltimore's lawsuits allege Kalshi and Polymarket offer the same betting services as tradition sportsbooks, like wagering on winners, point spreads, player statistics and more. — Renee Anderson, CBS News, 13 Aug. 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