jackpot

USAGE SUMMARY

"jackpot" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an event in which you or someone else has achieved great success or a large reward. For example, “After years of hard work, Mary won the jackpot by landing her dream job.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A 45-year-old suburban Minneapolis man wasted little time Thursday in claiming one-third of a $448m Powerball jackpot, coming forward only hours after realizing he had won to reveal his good fortune to the world.

The Guardian

But even if the winner wasn't someone devastated by the storm, the community will benefit from the jackpot.

The Guardian

At least three people in two states will split a $448m Powerball jackpot.

The Guardian

Combine this power with the tendency for home-cooked food to be healthier, and you have a nutritional and psychological jackpot.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A Staten Island plumber has won a lottery jackpot of more than $136m after unwittingly leaving the winning ticket abandoned in his basement for six weeks.

The Guardian

Throughout our conversation words tumble from Pooley like a jackpot from a Las Vegas slot machine.

The Guardian - Sport

The second largest Powerball jackpot, $587.5m, was won in November and split between two tickets from Arizona and Missouri.

The Guardian

The Minnesota ticket fell well short of the state's record for a Powerball jackpot, a $123.6m cash option prize in 2011 for a suburban Burnsville couple.

The Guardian

Within days, knowing that Mr Weir had stood for the party in the 1987 general election, Salmond sent a letter of congratulations to the couple, writing: "When I heard the fantastic news that a Scot had landed the EuroMillions jackpot, I did wonder if this was the same Colin Weir who helped produce SNP party political broadcasts for a young party publicity vice-convener all those years ago".

The Guardian

The findings are astonishing: so many donors have been nominated to the Lords in the last decade, that the odds of this being pure coincidence are those of winning the National Lottery jackpot five times running.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wednesday's jackpot drawing comes only a few months after the biggest Powerball jackpot in history – a $590m pot won in Florida by an 84-year-old widow.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "jackpot" to describe not only monetary wins but also significant achievements or unexpected favorable outcomes in various contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "jackpot" in contexts where a more precise term for success or reward is available. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound less sophisticated.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "jackpot" is as a noun. It refers to a prize, often a large sum of money, accumulated in a game or lottery. Ludwig contains many examples of "jackpot" being used in the context of winning a lottery.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "jackpot" is a versatile noun, primarily used to describe a significant prize or reward, especially in the context of lotteries or games of chance. However, it can also be used figuratively to denote an unexpected and valuable success or opportunity. According to Ludwig, "jackpot" is correct and frequently used in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to business and even scientific discourse, although it is less common in highly formal or academic writing. When choosing alternatives, consider options like "grand prize" or "windfall" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grand prize

Focuses on the winning aspect, specifically the top award in a competition or lottery.

windfall

Emphasizes the unexpected and sudden nature of the gain.

big win

A simple and direct way to describe a substantial victory.

stroke of luck

Highlights the role of chance and fortune in achieving success.

bonanza

Implies a rich and plentiful source of something desirable.

mother lode

Suggests a primary and abundant source of something valuable.

killing

An informal way to say made a quick and significant profit.

grand slam

Used to describe a significant achievement, particularly in business or sports.

hole-in-one

Describes a fortunate event that can be achieved with a single and often effortless action.

gold mine

Refers to a venture or resource that is highly profitable or advantageous.

FAQs

How can I use "jackpot" in a sentence?

You can use "jackpot" to describe winning a lottery, like in "He won the lottery jackpot", or figuratively, such as "Finding this rare book was a real jackpot".

What can I say instead of "jackpot"?

You can use alternatives like "grand prize", "windfall", or "big win" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "jackpot" or "jack pot"?

"Jackpot" is the correct and more common spelling as one word. "Jack pot" is less frequent but may occasionally appear.

Is it appropriate to use "jackpot" in formal writing?

While "jackpot" is generally acceptable, consider the specific context. In highly formal or academic writing, a more precise term might be preferable, but it can be used in business contexts or reports as well.