Word
gambling
Phoneticsgam·bling
US/ˈɡæmbəɫɪŋ/
UK/ɡˈæmblɪŋ/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the act of playing games of chance for money.
n. the activity of wagering money or stakes on an uncertain outcome, typically involving a combination of risk and chance.
Examples
“He lost a lot of money through gambling on horse races.”
“The government introduced new regulations to prevent underage gambling in online casinos and betting apps.”
“While some view gambling as a harmless form of entertainment, others argue that its addictive nature necessitates strict state oversight and public health interventions.”
Examples
simple
“He lost a lot of money through gambling on horse races.”
contextual
“The government introduced new regulations to prevent underage gambling in online casinos and betting apps.”
complex
“While some view gambling as a harmless form of entertainment, others argue that its addictive nature necessitates strict state oversight and public health interventions.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “gambling” in context.
Verb
01. be addicted to gambling
“He lost his entire inheritance because he was addicted to gambling.”
verb + prep + noun
02. curb excessive gambling
“The government introduced new regulations to curb excessive gambling among young adults.”
verb + adj + noun
Adjective
03. compulsive gambling
“Compulsive gambling is often classified as a serious impulse-control disorder.”
adj + noun
04. illicit gambling
“Police raided the basement where they discovered an illicit gambling operation.”
adj + noun
Noun
05. bout of gambling
“After a brief bout of gambling at the weekend, he decided to close his betting account.”
noun + of + noun
06. gambling debt
“He struggled for years to pay off a massive gambling debt he incurred in Las Vegas.”
noun + noun
07. gambling spree
“She went on a reckless gambling spree and lost all her savings in a single night.”
noun + noun
Preposition
08. against gambling
“There is a strong social stigma against gambling in many conservative communities.”
prep + noun
09. gambling ads
10. gambling harm
11. gambling industry
Usage
Often used as an uncountable noun or as a modifier before other nouns like 'addiction' or 'debts'.
Teaching tip
While 'gaming' is often used by the industry as a softer synonym, 'gambling' is the standard term used by the general public and in legal contexts.
Real-World Examples
“How much gambling do you want in your high street?” “Here is the news release from last year when Keir Starmer’s government announced councils getting powers to “block gambling and vape shops on their high street”.” Etymology
By surface analysis, gamble + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/gambling