gamble
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gamble
to bet; to take a chance on; venture; hazard; speculation; flyer: I’ll take a gamble on the chance that I’ll win.
Not to be confused with:
gambol – to skip about as in dancing or playing; frolic; spring; caper; frisk: We love to see the deer gambol in the forest.
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
gam·ble
(găm′bəl)v. gam·bled, gam·bling, gam·bles
v.intr.
1.
a. To bet on an uncertain outcome, as of a game or sporting event.
b. To play a game for stakes, especially a game whose outcome is at least partly determined by chance.
2. To take a risk in the hope of gaining an advantage or a benefit.
3. To engage in reckless or hazardous behavior: You are gambling with your health by continuing to smoke.
v.tr.
1. To put up as a stake in gambling; wager.
2. To expose to hazard; risk: gambled their lives in a dangerous rescue mission.
n.
1. A bet, wager, or other gambling venture.
2. An act or undertaking of uncertain outcome; a risk: I took a gamble that stock prices would rise.
[Perhaps from obsolete gamel, to play games, from Middle English gamen, gamenen, to play, from Old English gamenian, from gamen, fun.]
gam′bler n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
gamble
(ˈɡæmbəl)vb
1. (Gambling, except Cards) (intr) to play games of chance to win money
2. to risk or bet (money) on the outcome of an event, sport, etc
3. (often foll by: on) to act with the expectation of: to gamble on its being a sunny day.
4. (often foll by away) to lose by or as if by betting; squander
n
5. a risky act or venture
6. (Gambling, except Cards) a bet, wager, or other risk or chance taken for possible monetary gain
[C18: probably variant of game1]
ˈgambler n
ˈgambling n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
gam•ble
(ˈgæm bəl)v. -bled, -bling,
n. v.i.
1. to play at a game of chance for money or other stakes.
2. to stake or risk something of value, as money, on the outcome of something involving chance; bet.
v.t. 3. to lose or squander by betting (usu. fol. by away).
4. to wager or risk (something of value); stake: I'll gamble my life on his honesty.
5. to take a chance on; risk.
n. 6. any matter or thing involving risk or hazardous uncertainty.
7. a venture in a game of chance.
[1150–1200; Middle English gamenen to play (Old English gamenian); see game1]
gam′bler, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
gamble
Past participle: gambled
Gerund: gambling
| Imperative |
|---|
| gamble |
| gamble |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  gamble - money that is risked for possible monetary gainventure, speculation - an investment that is very risky but could yield great profits; "he knew the stock was a speculation when he bought it" |
| 2. | gamble - a risky act or venture danger, risk, peril - a venture undertaken without regard to possible loss or injury; "he saw the rewards but not the risks of crime"; "there was a danger he would do the wrong thing" long shot - a venture that involves great risk but promises great rewards raise - increasing the size of a bet (as in poker); "I'll see your raise and double it" | |
| Verb | 1. |  gamble - take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome; "When you buy these stocks you are gambling"attempt, essay, try, assay, seek - make an effort or attempt; "He tried to shake off his fears"; "The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps"; "The police attempted to stop the thief"; "He sought to improve himself"; "She always seeks to do good in the world" go for broke - risk everything in one big effort; "the cyclist went for broke at the end of the race" luck it, luck through - act by relying on one's luck |
| 2. | gamble - play games for money play - participate in games or sport; "We played hockey all afternoon"; "play cards"; "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches" dice - play dice shoot craps - play a game of craps play - bet or wager (money); "He played $20 on the new horse"; "She plays the races" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
gamble
noun
1. risk, chance, venture, lottery, speculation, uncertainty, leap in the dark the President's risky gamble in calling an election
risk certainty, safe bet, foregone conclusion, sure thing, banker
risk certainty, safe bet, foregone conclusion, sure thing, banker
verb
1. take a chance, back, speculate, take the plunge, stick your neck out (informal), put your faith or trust in Few firms will be prepared to gamble on new products.
2. risk, chance, stake, venture, hazard, wager Are you prepared to gamble your career on this matter?
3. bet, play, game, stake, speculate, back, punt, wager, put money on, have a flutter (informal), try your luck, put your shirt on, lay or make a bet John gambled heavily on the horses.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
gamble
verb2. To put up as a stake in a game or speculation:
Informal: go.
3. To take a risk in the hope of gaining advantage:
Idiom: take a flyer.
1. A venture depending on chance:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
gamble
[ˈgæmbl]A. N (= risk) → riesgo m; (= bet) → apuesta f
life's a gamble → la vida es una lotería
the gamble came off → la jugada salió bien
to have a gamble on [+ horse] → jugar dinero a, apostar a; [+ Stock Exchange] → jugar a
to take a gamble → arriesgarse
life's a gamble → la vida es una lotería
the gamble came off → la jugada salió bien
to have a gamble on [+ horse] → jugar dinero a, apostar a; [+ Stock Exchange] → jugar a
to take a gamble → arriesgarse
B. VT [+ money] → jugar, apostar; [+ one's life] → arriesgar
to gamble everything/one's future (on sth) → jugarse todo/el porvenir (a algo)
to gamble everything/one's future (on sth) → jugarse todo/el porvenir (a algo)
C. VI (= bet money) → jugar, apostar; (= take a chance) → jugárselas
to gamble on sth → confiar en algo, contar con algo
he gambled on my being there → confiaba en que yo estuviera allí, contaba con que yo estuviera allí
to gamble on the Stock Exchange → jugar a la Bolsa
to gamble with others' money → especular con el dinero ajeno
to gamble on sth → confiar en algo, contar con algo
he gambled on my being there → confiaba en que yo estuviera allí, contaba con que yo estuviera allí
to gamble on the Stock Exchange → jugar a la Bolsa
to gamble with others' money → especular con el dinero ajeno
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
gamble
(ˈgӕmbl) verb to risk losing money on the result of a horse-race etc. apostar a, jugar dinero a
noun (something which involves) a risk. The whole business was a bit of a gamble.empresa arriesgada, jugada
ˈgambler nounˈgambling nountake a gamble to do something risky in the hope that it will succeed. tomar un riesgo, arriesgar
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
gamble
→ jugarMultilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009