# jackpot

/ˈdʒækˌpɑt/ (US) · /dʒˈækpɒt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/jackpot
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. gambling prize

noun · CEFR B2

a large prize of money that grows over time until someone wins it.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. sudden success

noun · CEFR B2

a sudden and unexpected piece of great luck or success.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to dispense money

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical · Slang

when a machine suddenly gives out a lot of money.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He won the jackpot on a scratch card.
- The startup hit the jackpot when a major tech firm offered to buy their software for millions.
- While the lottery jackpot remains the primary draw for most players, the statistical probability of winning is so low that it is often described as a tax on the mathematically challenged.

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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.