bet
BEHT
Bet (noun) means an agreement to risk money or something else on the outcome of an uncertain event. Example: “My uncle won a small bet when his horse came in first.”
noun
1
An agreement to risk money or something else on the outcome of an uncertain event.
"My uncle won a small bet when his horse came in first."
"He placed a bet on the underdog to win."
"They made a friendly bet over who would finish the race first."
verb
1
To risk money or something valuable on the result of an event.
"They bet a round of coffees on which team would score first."
"I never bet money because I would rather spend it on dinner."
"She bet twenty pounds on the home team."
2
To be confident or certain about something.
"I bet it will rain as soon as we start the picnic."
"She bet that nobody would notice the small mistake on the poster."
"You can bet he'll be late again."
intj
1
Used to express agreement or acceptance, especially in casual speech.
""Want to grab lunch?" "Bet.""
How to use bet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA wager on an uncertain outcome, or, informally, an expression of agreement ("bet" = "okay, deal").
Common pairings
place a bet
lose a bet
safe bet
you bet
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Word forms
- Plural
- bets
- Third person singular
- bets
- Past tense
- betted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My uncle won a small _____ when his horse came in first.
Etymology
Origin uncertain — likely from old criminal slang, possibly connected to a Middle English word for "advantage" or to "abet," meaning to incite or urge on.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “bet” mean?
The word “bet” means an agreement to risk money or something else on the outcome of an uncertain event. In plain terms, a wager on an uncertain outcome, or, informally, an expression of agreement ("bet" = "okay, deal").
How do you pronounce “bet”?
“Bet” is pronounced BEHT (/ˈbɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “bet” in a sentence?
Here is “bet” used in a sentence: “He placed a bet on the underdog to win.”
What part of speech is “bet”?
Depending on how it is used, “bet” can be a noun, a verb and an intj.
Where does the word “bet” come from?
The word “bet” comes from Middle English. Origin uncertain — likely from old criminal slang, possibly connected to a Middle English word for "advantage" or to "abet," meaning to incite or urge on.
Is “bet” a common word?
“Bet” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “bet” have?
“Bet” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an agreement to risk money or something else on the outcome of an uncertain event.
What is the difference between a bet and a wager?
A bet and a wager mean essentially the same thing — an agreement to risk money or valuables on an uncertain outcome. 'Wager' tends to sound more formal or old-fashioned, while 'bet' is the everyday word. In practice the two are interchangeable, whether you are backing a horse or making a friendly prediction with a friend.
What are the common types of bets?
Bets come in many forms. A single stakes one outcome, while an accumulator links several together for a bigger payout. There are also each-way bets, spread bets, and fixed-odds bets. Beyond gambling, people make casual social bets — informal agreements between friends over who is right about something.
What is an example of a bet?
A classic example is placing money on a football match: you stake ten pounds that your team will win, and if they do, you collect your winnings. Bets can also be non-monetary, such as agreeing that the loser of a friendly wager must buy dinner.
Is a bet the same as gambling?
A bet is a single act of risking something on an outcome, whereas gambling is the broader activity of making such bets, often repeatedly. Every gamble involves a bet, but a one-off friendly bet between friends is not usually described as gambling. Gambling implies habit, higher stakes, and an element of chance.
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