1
a
: something that is laid, staked, or pledged typically between two parties on the outcome of a contest or a contingent issue : wager
—often used figuratively in such phrases as all bets are off to stress the uncertainty of an outcome
b
: the act of giving such a pledge
2
: something to wager on
3
: a choice made by consideration of probabilities
your best bet is the back road
bet also betted; betting
1
a
: to stake on the outcome of an issue or the performance of a contestant
b
: to be able to be sure that
—usually used in the expression you bet
you bet I'll be there
2
a
: to maintain with or as if with a bet
b
: to make a bet with
c
: to make a bet on
: to lay a bet
between
Synonyms
Examples of bet in a Sentence
Noun
He has a bet on the game.
He made a bet with his brother that he could finish his chores first.
He and his brother have a bet about who can finish his chores first.
He lost the bet and had to pay his brother five dollars.
His brother won the bet.
He paid his brother five dollars to settle the bet.
Verb
He bet $5 on the game.
I'll bet that he makes the next shot.
He always bets that the favorite will win.
He lost a lot of money by betting on college football and basketball.
I bet against the favorite and I lost.
I wouldn't bet against her. She's very likely to win this race.
Carmakers are betting that people will want to buy larger, more expensive cars this year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Khouw, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2024
Steven Kwan will never again hit so many homers, and even Jose Ramirez is a solid bet to decline somewhat.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Less than two weeks before the election, the Trump campaign is betting on swing state voters' border security concerns to take him to the finish line.
—Nicole Cobler, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bet 
Noun
The trade One way to bet on the valuation difference while muting the risks associated with athleisure and the stock market more broadly is by taking a long bet in Lulu hedged with a short bet in Nike.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2024
Steven Kwan will never again hit so many homers, and even Jose Ramirez is a solid bet to decline somewhat.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
Tangent The betting odds on betting platform Polymarket favoring Trump to win the 2024 election rose to 66% early this week, marking their highest level since President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race in July.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Less than two weeks before the election, the Trump campaign is betting on swing state voters' border security concerns to take him to the finish line.
—Nicole Cobler, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bet
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near bet
Cite this Entry
“Bet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bet. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bet
1 of 2 noun1
: an agreement requiring the person whose guess about the result of a contest or the outcome of an event proves wrong to give something to a person whose guess proves right
2
: the money or thing risked
3
: a choice made by considering what might happen
our best bet is to take the back road
bet
2 of 2 verb
bet also betted; betting
1
: to risk in a bet
I'll bet a nickel
2
: to make a bet with
I bet you he won't
3
: to be certain enough to bet
I bet it will rain
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