gamble
gamble Lexical Profile
gamble Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A risky action or undertaking embarked upon in the hope of a desired result.
"Launching the new product line without prior market research was a huge financial gamble."
An act of betting money or something of value on a game of chance or an uncertain outcome.
"He enjoyed an occasional small gamble on the weekend football matches."
• verb
To play games of chance for money or bet a sum of money on an uncertain outcome.
"Many visitors travel to the resort specifically to gamble at the casinos."
To take risky action in the hope of a desired result, or to expose something valuable to the risk of loss.
"The farmers decided not to gamble on the weather and harvested the crops early."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'gamble' (to bet money or take a risky chance) with its homophone 'gambol' (to skip or leap about playfully).
• Rhymes for gamble
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the early 18th century, the word likely developed from an obsolete Middle English verb 'gamenen' (to play or jest), which itself comes from Old English 'gamenian', related to the word 'game'.