Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of risking money on an uncertain outcome: A bet is an agreement where you risk money by predicting the result of a future event.
   • The amount of money risked: The sum of money that is wagered in such an agreement.

2. Verb:

   • To risk money on an outcome: To stake money on the result of a game, race, or other event.
   • To feel sure or express certainty: To state something with great confidence, as if willing to wager on its truth.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • He placed a bet on the football game. (He risked money by predicting the game's result.)
  • I lost the bet and had to pay twenty dollars. (I was wrong in my prediction and forfeited the money.)

• Verb:

  • She bet fifty dollars on the black horse. (She risked fifty dollars, predicting the black horse would win.)
  • I bet he will be late again. (I am very confident that he will be late.)

Advanced Usage

• "You bet!": An informal expression meaning "certainly" or "of course," used to give a very strong affirmative answer.

  • "Are you coming to the party?" "You bet!"

• "to bet the farm/ranch": To risk everything one has on something.

  • He bet the farm on his new business idea.

• "to hedge one's bets": To reduce risk by supporting more than one possible outcome.

  • She's betting on both companies to hedge her bets.

Variants and Related Words

• Better (noun): A person who places bets.

  • He is a regular better at the racetrack.

• Betting (noun/gerund): The activity of placing bets.

  • Online betting is very popular.

Synonyms

• Wager (noun/verb): A synonym for a bet or to bet.
• Gamble (verb/noun): To play games of chance for money; a risky action.
• Stake (verb/noun): To risk money or something valuable on an outcome.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bet on: To place a bet supporting a particular outcome.
  • Never bet on a sure thing.
• Bet against: To place a bet that a particular outcome will happen.
  • Few people bet against the champion.

Related Idioms

• A safe bet: Something that is very likely to happen or be true.
  • It's a safe bet that it will rain tomorrow.
• Don't bet on it: An expression of skepticism, meaning something is unlikely to happen.
  • "He says he'll finish on time." "Don't bet on it."

Noun

1. the act of gambling
   • he did it on a bet
2. the money risked on a gamble

Verb

1. have faith or confidence in
   • you can count on me to help you any time
   • Look to your friends for support
   • You can bet on that!
   • Depend on your family in times of crisis
2. stake on the outcome of an issue
   • I bet $100 on that new horse
   • She played all her money on the dark horse
3. maintain with or as if with a bet
   • I bet she will be there!