# wager

/ˈweɪdʒɝ/ (US) · /wˈeɪdʒɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wager
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a bet

noun · CEFR B2

an amount of money that you bet on the result of a race, game, or event.

For teachers: a stake or pledge risked on the outcome of a contest or uncertain event. Often used in formal or legal contexts to describe the agreement itself.

- He placed a small wager on his favorite horse to win the race.
- The two businessmen entered into a formal wager regarding the final closing price of the stock by the end of the fiscal year.

### 2. to bet money

verb · CEFR B2

to risk money or something valuable on the result of a game or event.

For teachers: to hazard or stake something of value on the issue of a contest or the happening of an event. Transitive, requiring a direct object representing the stake.

- She was willing to wager her entire week's salary on the outcome.
- Few investors were brave enough to wager significant capital on such a volatile and unpredictable market segment.

### 3. to guess or suppose

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to say that you are fairly sure something is true or will happen.

For teachers: to venture a guess or express a high degree of confidence in a supposition. Often used as a parenthetical or introductory phrase in speech.

- I wager that they will be late again, considering the heavy traffic.
- Given the current political climate, I would wager that the proposed legislation will face significant opposition in the senate.

## Examples

- He placed a small wager on the horse race.
- The two friends made a friendly wager on which team would score the first goal of the season.
- In many jurisdictions, a wager is only legally enforceable if it is conducted through a licensed betting operator rather than a private arrangement between individuals.

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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.