WordGarden.iogamble
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɡˈæmbəl/
US
- /ˈɡæmbəl/
Meanings
Verb
to bet money or something valuable on an uncertain outcome
to take a risky chance in hope of success
Noun
an act of betting money or something valuable on an uncertain outcome
a risky action or decision that may succeed or fail
Beyond the definition
To gamble means to risk something valuable, usually money, on an event with an uncertain result. The most common example is in games like poker, sports betting, or casino games, where people put money at stake and hope to win more. But the word is also used more broadly when someone takes a serious chance in life or business. A business owner may gamble on a new product, hoping customers will buy it. A traveler may gamble on the weather and leave without a coat. In each case, the idea is the same: there is a possible reward, but there is also a real chance of loss.
The word "gamble" most commonly refers to risking money or something else valuable on a game, race, or other uncertain event. This is the usual meaning in contexts like casinos, card games, sports betting, or horse racing. Someone who gambles hopes to win more than they put in, but they know they may lose it all. A sentence like "He lost a fortune gambling at the casino" shows this clear, direct use of the word.
However, "gamble" is also often used in a wider sense. It can describe any action where a person accepts a meaningful risk because they want a good result. In this sense, it is close to "take a chance," but it often suggests that the risk is serious and that the choice may or may not be wise. If someone says, "She gambled on her new business idea," it means she invested time, effort, or money without any promise of success. If "The hikers gambled on the weather holding up," it means they decided to go forward even though conditions might turn bad. People also use the word for personal choices, such as trusting someone, changing careers, or making a bold plan.
In both the literal and figurative senses, the core idea stays the same: you choose to go ahead even though the outcome is uncertain and loss is possible. Sometimes the risk is money. Sometimes it is time, safety, trust, or opportunity. That is why the word can fit both a night at a casino and an important life decision. In either case, to gamble is to hope the result will go your way while knowing it might not.
Examples
- 1
Casino
He spent half his paycheck gambling at the casino.
- 2
Horse racing
She gambled $20 on the last race.
- 3
Weather risk
We gambled on the weather and had the party in the park.
- Patterngamble on + uncertain result
take a risk because you hope it will happen
- 4
Business risk
The studio is gambling its future on this one film.
- Patterngamble + important thing + on + plan/result
risk something important on one plan or result
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Life decision
It was a gamble to move to another country without a job.
- 6
Hiring decision
Hiring such a young coach was a gamble, but it worked.
- 7
Health risk
Don't gamble with your health just to save a little money.
- Patterngamble with + important thing
take a careless risk involving it
- 8
Good outcome
The whole trip was a gamble, but it paid off.
- Phrasepay off
give a good result
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- gamblenounverb
Forms
- gambling-ing formverbnoun
- gambledpast tenseverbnoun
- gamblespluralnounverb