noun
Uncommon
ante
AN-tee
Ante (noun) means the amount a player must put into the pot before a hand of cards is dealt. Example: “Each player tossed in a dollar ante before the dealer handed out the cards.”
noun
1
The amount a player must put into the pot before a hand of cards is dealt.
"Each player tossed in a dollar ante before the dealer handed out the cards."
"The ante doubled every hour to keep the tournament moving."
verb
1
To put money into the pot before play begins, or more generally, to commit money or effort up front.
"You have to ante up before you can see your cards."
"The company had to ante up a lot of cash before the project even started."
How to use ante
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA required stake paid before a game starts, or informally, "pay up first."
Common mistake
"Up the ante" means to raise the stakes or demands, not literally to raise a poker bet mid-hand.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
up the ante
ante up
pay the ante
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Word forms
- Plural
- antes
- Third person singular
- antes
- Past tense
- anted, anteed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Each player tossed in a dollar _____ before the dealer handed out the cards.
Etymology
From Latin ante, meaning "before" — the money goes in before the hand is played.
Rhymes for ante
See all rhymes for ante →Frequently asked questions
What does “ante” mean?
The word “ante” means the amount a player must put into the pot before a hand of cards is dealt. In plain terms, a required stake paid before a game starts, or informally, "pay up first.".
How do you pronounce “ante”?
“Ante” is pronounced AN-tee (/ˈænti/ in IPA).
How do you use “ante” in a sentence?
Here is “ante” used in a sentence: “Each player tossed in a dollar ante before the dealer handed out the cards.”
What part of speech is “ante”?
Depending on how it is used, “ante” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ante” come from?
The word “ante” comes from Latin. From Latin ante, meaning "before" — the money goes in before the hand is played.
Is “ante” a common word?
“Ante” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ante” have?
“Ante” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the amount a player must put into the pot before a hand of cards is dealt.
