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Definition of lottery
lottery
/ˈlɑːtəɹi/
lot · ter · y
Plural:lotteries
lottery Lexical Profile
CEFR
B1
Grade
5
Tier
2
Usage
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Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A system of raising money by selling numbered tickets and awarding prizes to the holders of numbers drawn at random.
Example
"She bought a lottery ticket at the convenience store, hoping to win the massive jackpot."
2
A situation, process, or event whose success or outcome is governed entirely by chance.
Example
"Finding an affordable apartment in the city center has become an absolute lottery."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for lottery Antonyms
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Word Origin & Etymology
Late 16th century: from Dutch 'loterij', originally derived from 'lot', meaning a chance or portion.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Lottery. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/lottery