bet
v. · n.-
1 to wager money (v.) A2 Elementaryto risk money on a race or game because you think you know who will win.
to stake a sum of money or other value on the outcome of an unpredictable event. Often used with 'on'.
ExampleHe decided to bet ten dollars on his favorite horse in the third race.
ExampleProfessional gamblers often bet significant sums on sporting events where they believe the bookmakers have miscalculated the true probability of the outcome.
UsageThe verb is often ditransitive, taking both an indirect object (the person) and a direct object (the amount).
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2 to be certain (v.) B1 Intermediate Informalto be very sure that something is true or will happen.
to express a high degree of certainty regarding a future event or a present fact.
ExampleI bet it will rain later today because the sky is getting very dark.
ExampleGiven the current economic indicators, I would bet that the central bank will raise interest rates before the end of the fiscal quarter.
UsageCommonly followed by a 'that' clause, though 'that' is frequently omitted in speech.
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3 a wager (n.) A2 Elementaryan agreement to risk money on a result.
an arrangement or stake made on the outcome of an event.
ExampleWe made a small bet on who would finish the race first.
ExampleThe two colleagues placed a friendly bet on the election results, with the loser agreeing to pay for lunch.
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4 an opinion or choice (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informalthe best choice or action to take in a situation.
a person, thing, or course of action regarded as a candidate for success.
ExampleIf you want to arrive on time, the train is your best bet.
ExampleAnalysts suggest that diversified index funds remain the safest bet for long-term investors seeking steady growth without excessive risk.
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 Hebrew בית (bēt).
Abbreviation.