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noun

bookmaker

BUUK-may-kuh

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
1
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
Common pairings
high-street bookmaker online bookmaker

Word forms

bookmakers plural

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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.
See the full Class of 1800 →

Related words

Rhymes for bookmaker

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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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial