Added 9 October 2026
bet
/bɛt/ symbol
In Latin: sponsiō Wiktionary
symbol Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about bet at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
noun
-
A wager, an agreement between two parties that a stake (usually money) will be paid by the loser to the winner (the winner being the one who correctly forecast the outcome of an event).
Dylan owes Fletcher $30 from an unsuccessful bet.
- A candidate (for elections and pageants) or competitor (in multinational sports).
-
Indicating a degree of certainty, or that something can be relied upon.
It’s a safe bet that it will rain tomorrow.
verb
-
To stake or pledge upon the outcome of an event; to wager.
I('ll) bet I can run faster than you.
-
To be sure of something; to be able to count on something.
Fancy going for a drink after work? / You bet I do!
- To place money into the pot in order to require others do the same, usually only used for the first person to place money in the pot on each round.
interjection
- Expression of general agreement or acceptance.
- Exclamation indicating acceptance of a challenge or an absurd proposal.
- Exclamation of joy at good fortune.
Origin
From 16th-century criminal slang, perhaps from Middle English bet (“something better, advantage, luck”), from Old English bet, bett (“better”, adverb); or, alternatively from abet, from Middle English abet, abette, from Old French abet (“incitement to evil”), from Old French abeter (“to entice”), from a- (“to”) + beter (“hound on, urge, to bait”); ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *baitijan (“to bait, entice”), related to Old English bǣtan (“to bait”). More at abet.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)