Word
jackpot
Phoneticsjack·pot, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdʒækˌpɑt/
UK/dʒˈækpɒt/
Definitions
01gambling prize
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a large prize of money that grows over time until someone wins it.
n. a cumulative prize pool in a game of chance, such as a lottery or slot machine, that increases until won.
“The lottery jackpot reached fifty million dollars after nobody won for three weeks.”
“The casino floor erupted in cheers when the progressive jackpot finally triggered on one of the older machines.”
02sudden success
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a sudden and unexpected piece of great luck or success.
n. an unexpected windfall or a significant achievement resulting from luck or effort.
“He hit the jackpot when he found a rare book worth thousands at a garage sale.”
“The startup hit the jackpot when a major tech firm offered to buy their software for ten times its estimated value.”
Synonyms
03to dispense money
C2 · Proficiency Computing Technical · Slang
v. when a machine suddenly gives out a lot of money.
v. to dispense a large quantity of cash or points, often used in the context of a machine malfunctioning or being exploited.
“The broken machine started to jackpot, throwing coins all over the floor.”
“Security experts warned banks about a new type of malware designed to make ATMs jackpot without a valid card.”
Usage
Often used in the context of 'ATM jackpotting' in cybersecurity.
Real-World Examples
“The next Lotto 6/49 draw is scheduled for Wednesday and the Gold Ball jackpot will be worth $22 million, or a $1-million prize if a white ball is drawn.” “It marks the third time a UK winner has claimed the jackpot this year.” Etymology
Attested as jack-pot (“big prize”), 1944; from sense "slot machine" (1932), from obsolete poker sense (1881) "antes that begin when no player has a pair of jacks or better"; from jack (“playing card”) + pot.
Unknown. Criminal slang usage as "trouble, especially an arrest" attested 1902.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. hit the jackpot
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
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