gamble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gamble" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to taking risks or engaging in games of chance, often in the context of betting or wagering. Example: "He decided to gamble on the stock market, hoping for a big return on his investment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite the UK's improved performance recently, selling scripted formats to US broadcasters remains a high risk gamble.

The Guardian

"Based on historic and global track records, trying to build a new city from scratch is a massive gamble," says Brent Toderian, Vancouver's former chief planner, and a consultant for several cities outside of the Middle East.

The Guardian

Over longer periods, stocks and shares tend to deliver a superior return to cash, despite periodic bouts of volatility, so if you have a long-term goal in mind, it may be worth taking the gamble.

The Guardian - Money

But the EU referendum is a huge gamble which could go wrong.

The Guardian

Launching a national fundraising event in a country of 320 million people and multiple time zones may seem like an ambitious gamble.

The Guardian

For example, if you are taking a long-term view, to boost your retirement income you could gamble on a higher risk sector that may well yield a much higher return.

The Guardian - Money

Shane Watson was unable to hide Australia's glee at a rare selection gamble by England that backfired horribly on the first day of the fifth Ashes Test.

The Guardian - Sport

His gamble against Juncker gained another possible ally on Sunday, as the Italian prime minister, Matteo Renzi, described him as "one name … but not the name for the commission".

The Guardian

The Conservative belief that spending cuts will stimulate economic growth in time for tax cuts at the next election is a real gamble.

The Guardian - Opinion

The miners' strike gave him his one chance of re-election, and the Tories won the most votes (just not as many seats as Labour) so, in a way, the gamble paid off, but not enough.

The Guardian

May isn't a traditional month for literary period product, but the gamble paid off for Far from the Madding Crowd: Thomas Vinterberg's Thomas Hardy adaptation debuted with £1.45m over the weekend, and £1.83m including bank holiday Monday.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, avoid using "gamble" when a more precise term like "speculate" or "invest" would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "gamble" when the outcome is highly predictable or certain. "Gamble" implies a significant degree of uncertainty and risk. If there's no real risk, a different verb, like "invest", would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The word "gamble" functions primarily as a verb and a noun. As a verb, it describes the act of risking something with the hope of gaining something in return. As a noun, it refers to the risky action or venture itself. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Sport

23%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

9%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "gamble" is a versatile term that functions as both a verb and a noun, conveying the concept of taking a risk with an uncertain outcome and hope of gain. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is indeed correct and usable in written English. Usage is very common across different contexts, including news, sports and formal business settings. The choice of "gamble" versus related terms like "take a risk" or "speculate" depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis on risk, chance, or potential reward. The source analysis revealed high-quality media outlets using the term with proper and consistent way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a risk

Emphasizes the act of exposing oneself to potential loss or danger; a more general term than "gamble".

venture

Highlights the element of uncertainty and potential gain or loss involved in an undertaking.

roll the dice

Suggests leaving the outcome to chance, similar to gambling.

chance it

Informal expression suggesting willingness to try something with an uncertain outcome.

stake

To risk something on the outcome of a contest or uncertain event.

take a punt

British English idiom indicating a speculative attempt or risky bet.

speculate

Focuses on making investments with high risk and the expectation of significant returns.

wager

Specifically refers to betting money or something of value on an uncertain outcome.

play the odds

Implies assessing probabilities and making decisions based on calculated risks.

hazard

A more formal and less common synonym, emphasizing the risk involved.

FAQs

How can I use "gamble" in a sentence?

You can use "gamble" as a verb to describe taking a risk with the hope of gain, such as "He decided to gamble on a new business venture". It can also be used as a noun to refer to the risk itself: "Investing in that company was a gamble".

What's the difference between "gamble" and "take a risk"?

"Gamble" often implies an activity with uncertain outcome or betting, especially in financial or competitive scenarios. "Take a risk" is broader, encompassing any situation where there's a possibility of loss or harm.

Which is correct: "gamble on" or "gamble with"?

Both "gamble on" and "gamble with" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Gamble on" implies betting on a specific outcome, while "gamble with" suggests risking something valuable. For instance, "He decided to gamble on the stock market" versus "He gambled with his savings".

What can I say instead of "gamble"?

You can use alternatives like "take a chance", "venture", or "speculate" depending on the specific context.