wager
gb/wˈeɪd͡ʒɚ/ us/wˈeɪd͡ʒɚ/
B2
English
~ 8900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
risk money on an uncertain result
To risk money or something you own on the result of a game, race, or other event.
Usage pattern:
to wager [amount/thing] on [event]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "wager" with "wage" (money you earn from work). "Wager" is about risking money; "wage" is your pay from a job.
Synonyms
bet (More common and slightly less formal than "wager" in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
save (Focuses on keeping money safe instead of risking it on an uncertain result.)
Collocations
wager money on
|wager heavily on
|wager [ten dollars] on
|wager on the outcome
|wager on the game
|wager [his savings] on
Themes
games
|money
|sports
|risk
|daily_life
|finance
Examples
- She decided to wager fifty dollars on the horse race.
- Investors who wager heavily on one company can lose everything.
- He refuses to wager money on sports because he hates losing.
- They wagered a bottle of wine on who would win the tennis match.
- Some people illegally wager large sums on political elections.
Learner examples
- He likes to wager small amounts on football games.
- My uncle never wagers money because he does not enjoy risk.
- They wagered ten dollars on which team would win.
- She does not want to wager her savings on one stock.
- We sometimes wager a drink on friendly games.
Noun
B2
entity
2
bet or stake on an outcome
A bet; an agreement to risk money on the result of a game or event, or the money that is risked.
Usage pattern:
[someone] makes/places a wager on [event]
Common mistake:
Some learners use "wager" for any kind of promise or deal. A "wager" always involves risk based on an uncertain result, usually with money or something else of value.
Synonyms
bet (More frequent in everyday language; slightly less formal than "wager".)
Antonyms
certainty (A wager depends on an uncertain outcome, while a certainty involves no risk about the result.)
Collocations
place a wager
|make a wager
|win a wager
|lose a wager
|a friendly wager
|a small wager
Themes
games
|money
|sports
|risk
|daily_life
|finance
Examples
- He placed a small wager on the underdog and actually won.
- The two friends made a friendly wager on the final score.
- Her wager on the stock market paid off handsomely.
- According to the rules, all wagers must be placed before the game begins.
- They agreed that the loser of the wager would buy dinner.
Learner examples
- I lost the wager and had to pay ten dollars.
- They have a small wager on the football game.
- She won the wager because her team scored first.
- He does not like to make a wager on anything.
- The casino does not allow wagers under five dollars.
Verb
C1
action
3
state a very confident guess
To say you are very sure about something, like making a strong guess.
Usage pattern:
to wager (that) [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "wager" in this sense where a simple "think" or "guess" sounds more natural in everyday speech. "Wager" here is stronger and a bit more dramatic than "think."
Synonyms
guess ("Guess" is more common and can be weak or strong; "wager" suggests a stronger, more confident guess.)
Antonyms
doubt (To doubt something is to feel unsure about it, the opposite of confidently wagering it is true.)
Collocations
I’d wager that
|I’ll wager
|wager a guess
|wouldn’t wager on
Themes
communication
|opinions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I’d wager that he’s already left the office.
- You can wager that the roads will be busy on a holiday weekend.
- I’ll wager she gets the promotion before the end of the year.
- I wouldn’t wager that they arrive on time in this weather.
- If I had to wager a guess, I’d say the company will expand next year.
Learner examples
- I would wager that he is tired after that long flight.
- You can wager that this restaurant will be full on Friday night.
- I will wager she comes late; she is always late.
- If I must wager a guess, I think the answer is B.
- My friend would not wager that the team can win.
Grammar
Dictionary form
wager
IPA
GB/wˈeɪd͡ʒɚ/
US/wˈeɪd͡ʒɚ/
Syllables & stress
wager (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (wager)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: wager
- Plural: wagers
Verb
- Base: wager
- 3rd Person Singular: wagers
- Present Participle: wagering
- Past: wagered
Word family
Expressions
I’ll wager
1/ˈaɪl wˈeɪd͡ʒɚ/
fixed phrase
I am very sure that
Used before a statement to show that you are very sure it is true, like saying "I’m almost certain."
Examples
- I’ll wager he forgot to set his alarm again.
- I’ll wager this restaurant gets very busy after 7 p.m.
- I’ll wager you’ll like this movie more than the last one.
make a wager
1/mˈeɪk ə wˈeɪd͡ʒɚ/
fixed phrase
enter into a bet
To agree with another person to bet money or something else on an event.
Examples
- They made a wager on who would finish the project first.
- I don’t want to make a wager; I just want to watch the game.
- The two coworkers made a small wager about the election results.
place a wager
1/plˈeɪs ə wˈeɪd͡ʒɚ/
fixed phrase
make a formal bet
To make a bet by saying how much money you want to risk and on what event.
Examples
- You must place a wager before the game starts.
- He went to the counter to place a wager on the next race.
- Only people over eighteen are allowed to place a wager here.
wager a guess
1/wˈeɪd͡ʒɚ ə ɡˈɛs/
fixed phrase
offer a fairly confident guess
To say what you think the answer is, in a way that sounds more confident than a simple guess.
Examples
- If I had to wager a guess, I’d say he’s about thirty.
- Care to wager a guess about how much this house costs?
- I can’t even wager a guess about when they’ll arrive.