Word
bookmaker
Phoneticsbook·mak·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbʊkmeɪkɝ/
UK/bˈʊkmeɪkɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person whose job is to take bets on races and games and pay the winners. You see bookmakers at horse races and in betting shops.
n. a person or company that accepts wagers on sporting and other events, setting odds and paying winnings. Operates under licence in betting shops, at racetracks, and through online platforms.
Examples
“The bookmaker takes bets on the football match.”
“She places a small bet with the local bookmaker before every Grand National.”
“The bookmaker shortened the odds on the outsider after a flood of late money suggested insider confidence in its chances.”
Examples
simple
“The bookmaker takes bets on the football match.”
contextual
“She places a small bet with the local bookmaker before every Grand National.”
complex
“The bookmaker shortened the odds on the outsider after a flood of late money suggested insider confidence in its chances.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “bookmaker” in context.
Verb
01. bet with bookmaker
“She prefers to bet with a bookmaker rather than use an app.”
verb + prep + noun
02. bookmaker accepts
“The bookmaker accepts bets on horse racing and football.”
noun + verb
03. bookmaker offers
“This bookmaker offers excellent odds on Premier League games.”
noun + verb
04. bookmaker pays
“The bookmaker pays the winners right after the race finishes.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. illegal bookmaker
“Police arrested an illegal bookmaker operating without a licence.”
adj + noun
06. licensed bookmaker
“Always use a licensed bookmaker to protect your winnings.”
adj + noun
07. local bookmaker
“My uncle visited his local bookmaker every Saturday morning.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. licence for bookmaker
“The council refused a licence for the new bookmaker on High Street.”
noun + prep + noun
09. odds from bookmaker
“We got the latest odds from the bookmaker before the match.”
noun + prep + noun
10. bet with a bookmaker
“Many fans still prefer to bet with a bookmaker at the course.”
11. bookmaker pays out winnings
“The bookmaker pays out winnings in cash immediately after the race.”
12. go to a bookmaker
“He went to a bookmaker to place a bet on the Grand National.”
Real-World Examples
“However, Done has said such an increase would render hundreds of bookmakers unprofitable at a stroke, forcing him to close them and ultimately reducing the Treasury’s tax take.” “Three UK bookmakers that have repeatedly warned of the dangers of the illicit market have also benefited from a lucrative deal with one of the world’s largest offshore casinos, the Guardian can reveal.” “The UK should introduce a ban on almost all gambling advertising to protect public health, a cross-party group of peers has urged, prompting fury from the lobby group for bookmakers and casinos.” “The Campaign for Fairer Gambling’s 2024-25 national report highlighted the symbiotic relationship between sports piracy and unlicensed gambling, with 89% of illegal streams in the UK featuring adverts for black market bookmakers.” Etymology
From Middle English bokmakere, boke maker, equivalent to book + maker.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Word family
VERB
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/bookmaker