gamble

[ˈɡæmbl]

gamble Definition

• 1. to play games of chance for money, often hoping to win large amounts of money
• 2. to take a risk in the hope of gaining an advantage or a benefit

Using gamble: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "gamble" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  He gambled all his savings on the stock market.

• Example

  She gambled away her inheritance at the casino.

• Example

  I'm not willing to gamble on this investment.

• Example

  They gambled on the success of their new business.

gamble Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for gamble

• bet
• wager
• risk
• speculate
• venture

Antonyms for gamble

• save
• invest
• secure

Idioms Using gamble

• all bets are off

  a situation where anything can happen because normal rules no longer apply

  Example

  With the pandemic, all bets are off for the future of the economy.

• double or nothing

  a bet in which the winner receives twice the amount of the original wager or nothing at all

  Example

  He offered me double or nothing on our bet, but I declined.

• the house always wins

  a phrase used to describe the fact that casinos and other gambling establishments always make a profit in the long run

  Example

  Don't forget, the house always wins, so be careful when gambling.

Phrases with gamble

• take a gamble

  to take a risk in the hope of gaining an advantage or a benefit

  Example

  I decided to take a gamble and invest in the new startup.

• a safe gamble

  a decision or action that is likely to be successful or profitable

  Example

  Investing in real estate is usually a safe gamble.

• a big gamble

  a decision or action that involves a lot of risk

  Example

  Starting a business without a solid plan is a big gamble.

Origins of gamble

from Old English 'gamenian', meaning 'to play'

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Summary: gamble in Brief

The verb 'gamble' [ˈɡæmbl] refers to playing games of chance for money or taking risks in the hope of gaining an advantage. It can involve betting or speculating, as in 'He gambled all his savings on the stock market.' Phrases like 'take a gamble' and idioms like 'all bets are off' express the idea of risk-taking, while 'the house always wins' warns of the profitability of casinos.