What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bet
Example
I bet $10 that my favorite team will win the game. [bet: verb]
Example
She made a bet with her friend that she could finish the puzzle faster. [bet: noun]
wager
Example
He decided to wager $50 on the horse race. [wager: verb]
Example
The high roller placed a large wager on the blackjack table. [wager: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bet is more commonly used than wager in everyday language. Bet is a familiar term that can be used in various situations, while wager is less common and more specific to formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bet and wager?
While wager is typically associated with a formal and official tone, bet is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.