# stakes

/ˈsteɪks/ (US) · /stˈeɪks/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stakes
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. risks and rewards

noun · CEFR B2

the things you can win or lose in a situation, such as your reputation or money.

For teachers: the potential rewards or risks involved in an action or competition, often used to describe the importance of an outcome.

- The stakes are high in this election because the new laws will affect everyone.
- With the company on the brink of bankruptcy, the stakes for the upcoming merger negotiations could not be higher for the employees.

### 2. gambling money

noun · CEFR B2

the money that people bet in a game or a race.

For teachers: the sum of money or property risked on the outcome of a contest or game of chance.

- They were playing poker for very small stakes, just for fun.
- Professional gamblers often prefer tables with high stakes to ensure the potential payout justifies the significant financial risk involved.

## Examples

- The stakes are high in this championship game.
- With the company facing bankruptcy, the stakes for the upcoming merger negotiations could not be higher.
- In international diplomacy, the stakes often involve not just economic stability but the long-term security and sovereignty of entire nations.

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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.