noun

sweepstakes

SWEEP-stayks

Sweepstakes (noun) means a contest or lottery in which prizes are awarded based on chance, usually at no cost to enter. Example: “She entered the sweepstakes hoping to win a free vacation.”

noun

A contest or lottery in which prizes are awarded based on chance, usually at no cost to enter.

"She entered the sweepstakes hoping to win a free vacation."

"Thousands entered the online sweepstakes for a chance to win a new car."

How to use sweepstakes

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA prize drawing where winners are chosen randomly, typically requiring no purchase to enter.

Common pairings

enter a sweepstakes win a sweepstakes

Word forms

sweepstakes plural

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She entered the _____ hoping to win a free vacation.

Rhymes for sweepstakes

jakes wakes Oakes Bakes snakes stakes shakes cornflakes chrissakes

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Frequently asked questions

What does “sweepstakes” mean?

The word “sweepstakes” means a contest or lottery in which prizes are awarded based on chance, usually at no cost to enter. In plain terms, a prize drawing where winners are chosen randomly, typically requiring no purchase to enter.

How do you pronounce “sweepstakes”?

“Sweepstakes” is pronounced SWEEP-stayks (/ˈswipˌsteɪks/ in IPA).

How do you use “sweepstakes” in a sentence?

Here is “sweepstakes” used in a sentence: “She entered the sweepstakes hoping to win a free vacation.”

What part of speech is “sweepstakes”?

“Sweepstakes” is a noun.