# bookie

/ˈbʊki/ (US) · /bˈʊki/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bookie
Updated: 2026-10-13

## Definition

a person whose job is to take bets on things like horse races or sports. They calculate the odds and pay out money to people who win.

For teachers: a person who accepts and pays out bets on sporting events or other competitions.

## Examples

- He placed a small bet with his local bookie.
- Before the match started, he called his bookie to see which team was favored to win.
- While legal betting apps have changed the industry, the neighborhood bookie remains a fixture in certain social circles, operating on personal trust and cash transactions.

## Synonyms

bookmaker

## Antonyms

punter, bettor

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.