Bet: Definition, Usage & Real-Life Examples

Meaning 1：wager money on an outcome (bet)

bet 🔊

/bet/

To risk money by saying what you think will happen in a future event, like a game.

Bet meaning illustrated: two friends wagering money on a football game on TV.

wager money on an outcome 🔊

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/ˈweɪdʒər ˈmʌni ɒn ən ˈaʊtkʌm/

To bet means to risk a sum of money based on a prediction about the result of a future event, such as a sports game or competition.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from Old English 'bettan', meaning 'to pledge' or 'to wager', related to risking something on an uncertain outcome.

💡 Mnemonic

Link 'bet' to 'bet on it' – you bet when you're confident about a future result, like placing a bet on a game.

📖 Example

I'm so sure our team will win, I'll bet you ten dollars on it! 🔊 I am very confident that our team will win, so I offer to wager ten dollars on that outcome.

🔗 Collocations

bet on – to wager money on a specific outcome

place a bet – to make a formal wager

🔄 Synonyms

wager (v.) – to risk money on an uncertain event

gamble (v.) – to play games of chance for money

🚫 Antonyms

abstain (v.) – to refrain from betting or participating

🌱 Derivatives

betting (n.) – the activity of placing bets

better (n.) – a person who bets

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'bet' evolved from Old English 'bettan', signifying a pledge or promise. In modern English, it is frequently used in sports betting and friendly wagers, reflecting a common social practice where people risk money on predicted events.