gambit
2 synonyms for gambit, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — In chess, an opening move where a player deliberately gives up a pawn or piece to gain a stronger position.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use gambit
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a risky gambit
a clever gambit
an opening gambit
pull off a gambit
Etymology
From Italian gambetto, "a tripping up," from gamba ("leg") — the chess sense entered English in the 1600s.
Full origin of gambit →Frequently asked questions
What does “gambit” mean?
The word “gambit” means in chess, an opening move where a player deliberately gives up a pawn or piece to gain a stronger position. In plain terms, a strategic move, often one that costs something upfront in order to gain an edge later.
How do you pronounce “gambit”?
“Gambit” is pronounced GAM-biht (/ˈɡæmbɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “gambit” in a sentence?
Here is “gambit” used in a sentence: “He opened with the Queen's Gambit, offering up a pawn to control the center.”
What part of speech is “gambit”?
“Gambit” is a noun.
Where does the word “gambit” come from?
The word “gambit” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Italian. From Italian gambetto, "a tripping up," from gamba ("leg") — the chess sense entered English in the 1600s.
How many meanings does “gambit” have?
“Gambit” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in chess, an opening move where a player deliberately gives up a pawn or piece to gain a stronger position.
