Link Centre Dictionary

gamble

UK/ˈɡæm.bəl/ US/ˈɡæmbʌl/ fairly common
verb (2) noun (2)

verb

1.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

  • “When you buy these stocks you are gambling”
Synonyms
2.

play games for money

noun

1.

money that is risked for possible monetary gain

2.

Origin

From earlier gamel, from Middle English *gamlen, *gamelen, variant of Middle English gamenen, from Old English gæmnian, gamnian, gamenian (“to joke; play”), related to Old English gamen (“joy; mirth; pleasure; entertainment; pastime; sport; game”), equivalent to game + -le. Compare Old Danish gammel, Middle High German gamel (“pleasure; fun”). More at game.

Phrases

  • game of chance
  • Pascal's gamble
  • take a gamble

Related words

Word family

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WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.