noun

bookmaker

BUUK-may-kuh

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Bookmaker (noun) means a person or business that sets odds and accepts bets on events such as horse racing or sports. Example: “The bookmaker shortened the odds after the star player was confirmed fit.”

noun

A person or business that sets odds and accepts bets on events such as horse racing or sports.

"The bookmaker shortened the odds after the star player was confirmed fit."

How to use bookmaker

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA person or company whose business is taking bets and paying out winnings.

Easily confused with

bookkeeper →

Common pairings

high-street bookmaker online bookmaker

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: bookmakers

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ shortened the odds after the star player was confirmed fit.

Etymology

From the 19th-century English phrase "make a book," meaning to record and manage a set of bets.

· First attested 1800

Class of 1800 bookmaker joined the language around 1800.

alcohol Aryan Australia availability bah

See the full Class of 1800 →

Synonyms

View more →

bookie

Related words

bookie

Rhymes for bookmaker

maker baker taker laker faker Quaker shaker beaker speaker breaker tweaker sneaker

See all rhymes for bookmaker →

Frequently asked questions

What does “bookmaker” mean?

The word “bookmaker” means a person or business that sets odds and accepts bets on events such as horse racing or sports. In plain terms, a person or company whose business is taking bets and paying out winnings.

How do you pronounce “bookmaker”?

“Bookmaker” is pronounced BUUK-may-kuh (/ˈbʊkmeɪkɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “bookmaker” in a sentence?

Here is “bookmaker” used in a sentence: “The bookmaker shortened the odds after the star player was confirmed fit.”

What part of speech is “bookmaker”?

“Bookmaker” is a noun.

Where does the word “bookmaker” come from?

The word “bookmaker” dates back to around 1800. From the 19th-century English phrase "make a book," meaning to record and manage a set of bets.

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