gambles; gambled; gambling
1
: to play a game in which you can win or lose money or possessions : to bet money or other valuable things
I like to gamble.
He's been drinking and gambling heavily.
gambling at cards
—often + onShe likes to gamble on football games.
2
a
: to risk losing (an amount of money) in a game or bet
He would often gamble hundreds of dollars on a hand of poker.
b
: to risk losing (something valuable or important) in order to do or achieve something
She gambled [=risked] everything she owned to start the business.
—often + onThe company is gambling [=betting, risking] everything on this strategy.
3
: to do something that could have the good result that you want or a bad result that you cannot control
The mayor is gambling with the city's future.
people who lost money gambling in the stock market
—often + onMany people are willing to gamble on the new treatment. [=are willing to try the new treatment because they hope it will help them]
The mayor is gambling that the new policies will help rather than hurt the city.
plural gambles
: something that could produce a desired result or a bad or unpleasant result : risk
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.
He was taking a (big) gamble. [=doing something that could produce a (very) bad or unpleasant result]
Many people are willing to take a gamble on the new treatment. [=to try the new treatment]
Cite this Entry
“Gamble.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/gamble. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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