stakes
Definition
Noun 1. The money risked on a gamble: The sum of money or valuables that a person wagers or puts at risk in a bet, game, or contest, which may be lost or won. 2. A prize or reward in a competition: Something, often money, that is offered as the prize for winning a contest or competition. 3. A share or interest in a venture: A personal or financial involvement in an enterprise, implying a risk or potential gain.
Usage
The word "stakes" is a plural noun. It refers to what is risked or what can be gained in a situation involving chance, competition, or investment. It is often used with verbs like "raise," "lower," "have," or "play for."
Examples
- As money risked: "The poker player pushed all his stakes into the center of the table." (Here, "stakes" refers to the chips/money he is betting.)
- As a prize: "The stakes for the championship are incredibly high this year." (This means the prize for winning is very valuable.)
- As an interest/risk: "She has a personal stake in the company's success." (Note: Here, the singular "stake" is used to mean a personal interest or investment. The plural "stakes" can imply multiple interests or a collective sense of what is at risk.)
Advanced Usage
- "At stake": This is a common idiom meaning "at risk" or "to be won or lost." It describes what is in jeopardy in a situation.
- Example: "With the final exam tomorrow, my entire grade is at stake."
- "Raise the stakes": To increase the level of risk, reward, or seriousness in a situation.
- Example: "By investing more money, the company raised the stakes in the competitive market."
Variants and Related Words
- Stake (singular noun): Can refer to a single share or interest, a pointed stick, or a post. (e.g., "He has a stake in the business." or "They marked the boundary with a wooden stake.")
- Stake (verb): To risk money or something valuable on an outcome. (e.g., "I would stake my reputation on his honesty.")
- Stakeholder (noun): A person with an interest or concern in something, especially a business.
Synonyms
- Bet: Money risked on the outcome of an event.
- Wager: A more formal term for a bet.
- Pot: The total amount of money bet in a game like poker.
- Ante: A stake put up by a player in poker before receiving cards.
Related Phrases
- "Have a stake in something": To have a share, interest, or involvement in something where you stand to gain or lose.
- Example: "As a citizen, you have a stake in how the government spends taxes."
- "Play for high stakes": To be involved in a situation where the potential risks and rewards are very great.
- Example: "In international diplomacy, leaders are often playing for high stakes."
Related Idioms
- "Pull up stakes": To leave one's home or job and move to a new place.
- Example: "After twenty years, they decided to pull up stakes and move to the coast." (This idiom originates from the idea of pulling tent stakes out of the ground.)
Noun
-
the money risked on a gamble
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