gamble: Meaning and Definition of

gam•ble

Pronunciation: (gam'bul), [key]
— v., n. -bled, -bling,
—v.i.
  1. to play at any game of chance for money or other stakes.
  2. to stake or risk money, or anything of value, on the outcome of something involving chance: to gamble on a toss of the dice.
—v.t.
  1. to lose or squander by betting (usually fol. by away): He gambled all his hard-earned money away in one night.
  2. to wager or risk (money or something else of value): to gamble one's freedom.
  3. to take a chance on; venture; risk: I'm gambling that our new store will be a success.
—n.
  1. any matter or thing involving risk or hazardous uncertainty.
  2. a venture in a game of chance for stakes, esp. for high stakes.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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