gambled; gambling
ˈgam-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to play a game for money or property
b
: to bet on an uncertain outcome
2
: to stake something on a contingency (see contingency sense 1) : take a chance
1
a
: an act having an element of risk
b
: something chancy
2
: the playing of a game of chance for stakes
Examples of gamble in a Sentence
Verb
He's been drinking and gambling heavily.
He would often gamble hundreds of dollars on a hand of poker.
The mayor is gambling with the city's future.
people who lost money gambling in the stock market
The mayor is gambling that the new policies will help rather than hurt the city.
Noun
Starting her own business was a gamble, but it paid off.
She thought about starting her own business, but she decided it was too much of a gamble.
Recent Examples on the Web
Pat Maio, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
With ballots arriving soon in voters’ mailboxes and the June 2 primary approaching, legal experts note the widespread practice allows candidates to gamble that strategic gains outweigh the risk of later fines.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Zack Cox, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Easily the riskiest entry of the year so far, this expensive — $200 million but who’s counting — Amazon MGM Studios gamble, powered by Ryan Gosling’s star turn as a lonely astronaut, has made $573 million globally, justifying its steep costs.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gamble
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Verb
The Lahlouhs have plenty of money to gamble.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
With ballots arriving soon in voters’ mailboxes and the June 2 primary approaching, legal experts note the widespread practice allows candidates to gamble that strategic gains outweigh the risk of later fines.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Noun
But the head coach’s boldest gamble did not pay off.
—Zack Cox, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Easily the riskiest entry of the year so far, this expensive — $200 million but who’s counting — Amazon MGM Studios gamble, powered by Ryan Gosling’s star turn as a lonely astronaut, has made $573 million globally, justifying its steep costs.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gamble
Cite this Entry
“Gamble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gamble. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gamble
2 of 2 noun1
: a risky undertaking
2
: a betting on a game of chance
Legal Definition
gamble
verb
gam·ble
ˈgam-bəl
gambled; gambling
: to risk something of value for the chance of winning a prize
: to risk (something) for the chance of winning a prize
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