First Known Use: 1592
Dictionary
1bet
noun \ˈbet\
: an agreement in which people try to guess what will happen and the person who guesses wrong has to give something (such as money) to the person who guesses right
: the money or other valuable thing that you could win or lose in a bet
: a choice made by thinking about what will probably happen
Full Definition of BET
1
a : something that is laid, staked, or pledged typically between two parties on the outcome of a contest or a contingent issue : wager —often used figuratively in such phrases as all bets are off to stress the uncertainty of an outcome b : the act of giving such a pledge
2
: something to wager on
3
: a choice made by consideration of probabilities <your best bet is the back road>
See bet defined for English-language learners
See bet defined for kids
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Origin of BET
origin unknown
2bet
verb
: to make a bet : to risk losing something (such as money) if your guess about what will happen is wrong
: to risk losing (something) when you try to do or achieve something
: to make decisions that are based on the belief that something will happen or is true
bet also bet·tedbet·ting
Full Definition of BET
transitive verb
1
a : to stake on the outcome of an issue or the performance of a contestant b : to be able to be sure that —usually used in the expression you bet <you bet I'll be there>
2
a : to maintain with or as if with a bet b : to make a bet with c : to make a bet on
intransitive verb
: to lay a bet
See bet defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BET
1597
3bet
abbreviation
Definition of BET
between
BET Defined for Kids
1bet
noun \ˈbet\
Definition of BET for Kids
1
: an agreement requiring the person who guesses wrong about the result of a contest or the outcome of an event to give something to the person who guesses right
2
: the money or thing risked in a bet
3
: a choice made by considering what might happen <It's a safe bet that they will win.>
2bet
verb
bet or bet·tedbet·ting
Definition of BET for Kids
1
: to risk in a bet <bet a dollar>
2
: to make a bet with <I bet you he'll win.>
3
: to be sure enough to make a bet <I bet she knows the answer.>
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