noun
C2
Proficient
gambit
GAM-biht
Gambit (noun) means In chess, an opening move where a player deliberately gives up a pawn or piece to gain a stronger position. Example: “He opened with the Queen's Gambit, offering up a pawn to control the center.”
noun
1
In chess, an opening move where a player deliberately gives up a pawn or piece to gain a stronger position.
"He opened with the Queen's Gambit, offering up a pawn to control the center."
2
Any calculated move or strategy, especially one that involves an initial small sacrifice or risk for a later advantage.
"Cutting prices for the first month was a gambit to win over new customers."
"Her resignation turned out to be a clever gambit to force the board's hand."
3
A remark made to start or steer a conversation.
"He opened with a weather-related gambit before getting to the real topic."
How to use gambit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strategic move, often one that costs something upfront in order to gain an edge later.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a risky gambit
a clever gambit
an opening gambit
pull off a gambit
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Word forms
- Plural
- gambits
- Third person singular
- gambits
- Past tense
- gambited
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He opened with the Queen's _____, offering up a pawn to control the center.
Etymology
From Italian gambetto, "a tripping up," from gamba ("leg") — the chess sense entered English in the 1600s.
Class of 1600
gambit joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
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.
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