# gambler

/ˈɡæmbɫɝ/ (US) · /ɡˈæmblɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gambler
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a person who risks money on games of chance or the result of a race. You use this for someone who plays cards for money or bets on sports.

For teachers: a person who wagers money or assets on the outcome of a game, contest, or uncertain event. Refers to both recreational participants and those with a compulsive behavioral pattern.

## Examples

- The gambler lost all his money at the poker table.
- A professional gambler often relies on mathematical probability rather than pure luck to make a living.
- The novel depicts the protagonist as a desperate gambler who views every social interaction as a high-stakes wager he cannot afford to lose.

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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.