Definitions for Gambleˈgæm bəl

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

gam•bleˈgæm bəl(v.; n.)-bled, -bling

(v.i.)to play at a game of chance for money or other stakes.
Category: Games
to stake or risk something of value, as money, on the outcome of something involving chance; bet.
(v.t.)to lose or squander by betting (usu. fol. by away).
to wager or risk (something of value); stake:
I'll gamble my life on his honesty.
to take a chance on; risk.
(n.)any matter or thing involving risk or hazardous uncertainty.
a venture in a game of chance.

Origin of gamble:

1150–1200; ME gamenen to play (OE gamenian); see game1

gam′bler(n.)

Princeton's WordNet

gamble(noun)
money that is risked for possible monetary gain
gamble(verb)
a risky act or venture
gamble, chance, risk, hazard, take chances, adventure, run a risk, take a chance(verb)
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
"When you buy these stocks you are gambling"
gamble(verb)
play games for money

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

gamble(verb)ˈgæm bəl
to risk money by saying who you think will win a race, competition, etc.
people who like to gamble; He gambled all his money on one race.
gamble(noun)ˈgæm bəl
a risk
The house renovation project was a gamble, but in the end it really paid off.; gamblers playing poker; an addiction to gambling

Wiktionary

gamble(Noun)
A significant risk, undertaken with a potential gain.
gamble(Noun)
A risky venture
The sailors had taken many gambles with the sea and always won.
gamble(Verb)
To take a risk, with the potential of a positive outcome.
gamble(Verb)
To play risky games, especially casino games, for monetary gain.
gamble(Verb)
To risk (something) for potential gain.
He gambled his reputation on the outcome.
gamble(Verb)
To interact with equipment at a casino

Origin: From gamenian 'to play', either via a dialectal survival of gammlen, a variant of gamenen 'to play, jest, be merry', or via a derivative of gamel 'to play games'