bet
gb/bˈɛt/ us/bˈɛt/
B1
English
~ 4400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Money risked on an outcome
Money or something valuable you risk because you think you will win in a game or competition.
Usage pattern:
to place [a bet] on [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'bet' with 'debt'; 'bet' is about risking money, 'debt' is money you owe.
Synonyms
wager (A more formal or slightly old-fashioned word for the same concept.)
Antonyms
sure thing (Refers to something certain, not involving risk.)
Collocations
place a bet
|make a bet
|win a bet
|lose a bet
|big bet
Themes
games
|sports
|gambling
|finance
|daily_life
Examples
- He placed a $50 bet on the horse race.
- The bet was that she could run faster than him.
- I lost my bet when my team failed to score.
Learner examples
- I made a small bet on the game.
- She won the bet and got $20.
- He lost the bet and paid me.
Verb
B1
action
2
Risk money on an outcome
To risk money because you think you will guess the winner of a game or competition.
Usage pattern:
to bet [amount] on [something]
Common mistake:
Some learners mistakenly use 'bet' without 'on' when talking about what they are predicting.
Synonyms
gamble (A broader term that can also include games of chance without betting on events.)
Antonyms
abstain (To choose not to participate in betting or gambling.)
Collocations
bet heavily
|bet wisely
|bet against
|bet on a game
Themes
games
|sports
|gambling
|finance
|daily_life
Examples
- I bet $10 on the red team.
- They bet all their savings on that risky investment.
- She never bets on horse racing.
Learner examples
- I bet $5 on my team.
- He bets every weekend at the casino.
- We bet on who will win the race.
Verb
informal
B2
action
3
Say confidently something will happen
To say you are sure something will happen or is true.
Usage pattern:
I bet (that) [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with literal betting using money; here it just means being sure.
Synonyms
guarantee (Stronger and more formal; implies certainty rather than confident prediction.)
Antonyms
doubt (To be unsure or question whether something will happen.)
Collocations
you can bet
|I bet that
|want to bet
Themes
communication
|opinions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I bet she'll be late again.
- You can bet he won't forget your birthday.
- I wouldn't bet on them winning this year.
Learner examples
- I bet she will call soon.
- You can bet it will rain today.
- I would not bet on him coming.
Noun
informal
B2
entity
4
Best choice in uncertainty
The choice that is most likely to be good when you are not sure what will happen.
Usage pattern:
[someone's] best bet is to [verb]
Synonyms
option (A general term for something you can choose; does not imply likelihood of success.)
Antonyms
long shot (A choice with a low chance of success.)
Collocations
best bet
|safe bet
Themes
advice
|decisions
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Your best bet is to take the train at this hour.
- It’s a safe bet he’ll be there early.
- Going by taxi might be your best bet.
Learner examples
- Your best bet is to call first.
- It is a safe bet she will win.
- The bus is your best bet now.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bet
IPA
GB/bˈɛt/
US/bˈɛt/
Syllables & stress
bet (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (bet)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: bet
- Plural: bets
Verb
- Base: bet
- 3rd Person Singular: bets
- Present Participle: betting
- Past: bet, betted
- Past Participle: bet
Word family
Forms
bets
noun
betting
verb
betted
verb
Related words
bettor
noun
wager
noun B2
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: betting Verb
- Irregular past: bet, betted Verb
- Irregular past participle: bet Verb
Expressions
best bet
1/bˈɛst bˈɛt/
idiom
informal
Most suitable option in uncertainty
The best choice when you are not sure what will happen.
Examples
- Your best bet is to leave early to avoid traffic.
- If you want fresh bread, your best bet is the bakery down the street.
bet against (something)
1/bˈɛt əɡˈɛnst sˈʌmθɪŋ/
phrasal verb
Risk money predicting failure of event
To risk money because you think something will not happen or succeed.
Examples
- Many investors are betting against the company’s stock.
- He bet against his own team, which upset the fans.
safe bet
1/sˈeɪf bˈɛt/
idiom
Choice likely to succeed
Something that is likely to happen or be true, so it is not risky.
Examples
- It’s a safe bet that prices will rise next year.
- Choosing the experienced candidate is a safe bet.
want to bet?
1/wˈɔnt tə bˈɛt ‖/
idiom
informal
Challenge someone's certainty with a wager
Used to ask if someone wants to risk something because they are sure they are right.
Examples
- You think you can beat me? Want to bet?
- Want to bet I can finish this pizza?
you can bet (your life/anything)
1/jˈu kən bˈɛt jˈʊɹ lˈaɪfənˈɪθɪŋ/
idiom
informal
Be certain about something happening
Used to say you are very sure about what will happen or is true.
Examples
- You can bet your life he’ll be late again.
- You can bet anything that she’ll say yes.