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bet

1 [bet]

verb, bet or bet⋅ted, bet⋅ting, noun

–verb (used with object)

1.	to wager with (something or someone).

–verb (used without object)

2.	to make a wager: Do you want to bet?

–noun

3.	a pledge of a forfeit risked on some uncertain outcome; wager: Where do we place our bets?

4.	that which is pledged: a two-dollar bet.

5.	something that is bet on, as a competitor in a sporting event or a number in a lottery: That horse looks like a good bet.

6.	an act or instance of betting: It's a bet, then?

7.	a person, plan of action, etc., considered as being a good alternative; choice: Your best bet is to sell your stocks now.

—Idiom

8.	you bet! Informal. of course! surely!: You bet I'd like to be there!

Origin:
1585–95; perh. special use of obs. bet better, in phrase the bet the advantage, i.e., the odds

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Language Translation for : BET

Spanish:

apostar,

German:

wetten,

Japanese:

賭ける

View 30 other languages »

bet

2 [beyt; bet]

–noun

beth.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

BET

Trademark.

Black Entertainment Television: a cable television channel.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

bet.

between.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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bet (bět) Pronunciation Key
n.

An agreement usually between two parties that the one who has made an incorrect prediction about an uncertain outcome will forfeit something stipulated to the other; a wager.
An amount or object risked in a wager; a stake.
One on which a stake is or can be placed: Our team is a sure bet to win.
1. A plan or an option considered with regard to its probable consequence: Your best bet is to make reservations ahead of time.
2. Informal A view or opinion, especially about something that cannot be known at the present time: My bet is that the rain will hold off. My bet is he didn't do it.

v. bet or bet·ted, bet·ting, bets

v. tr.

To stake (an amount, for example) in a bet.
To make a bet with: I bet them that we would be first.
To make a bet on (a contestant or an outcome).
To maintain confidently, as if making a bet: I bet they were surprised by the news.

v. intr.
To make or place a bet.

[Origin unknown.]

Synonyms: These nouns denote something valuable risked on an uncertain outcome: placed a 50-dollar bet in the first race; raising the ante in a poker game; won the whole pot at cards; played for high stakes; laid a wager on who would win.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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bet

1592, probably aphetic of abet, or from beet "to make good," from O.E. bætan "make better, arouse, stimulate," from P.Gmc. *baitjanan. First surfaced in argot of petty criminals. The original notion is perhaps to "improve" a contest by wagering on it. Used since 1852 in various Amer.Eng. slang assertions (cf. you bet "be assured," 1857).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper

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bet
noun
1.	the money risked on a gamble [syn: stake]
2.	the act of gambling; "he did it on a bet"
verb
1.	maintain with or as if with a bet; "I bet she will be there!"
2.	stake on the outcome of an issue; "I bet $100 on that new horse"; "She played all her money on the dark horse"
3.	have faith or confidence in; "you can count on me to help you any time"; "Look to your friends for support"; "You can bet on that!"; "Depend on your family in times of crisis" [syn: count]

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.

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bet

In addition to the idioms beginning with bet, also see back (bet on) the wrong horse; hedge one's bets; you bet your ass.

Bet

Bet\, n. [Prob. from OE. abet abetting, OF. abet, fr. abeter to excite, incite. See Abet.] That which is laid, staked, or pledged, as between two parties, upon the event of a contest or any contingent issue; the act of giving such a pledge; a wager. "Having made his bets." --Goldsmith.

Bet

Bet\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bet, Betted; p. pr. & vb. n. Betting.] To stake or pledge upon the event of a contingent issue; to wager.

John a Gaunt loved him well, and betted much money on his head. --Shak.

I'll bet you two to one I'll make him do it. --O. W. Holmes.

Bet

Bet\, imp. & p. p. of Beat. [Obs.]

Bet

Bet\, a. & adv. An early form of Better. [Obs.]

To go bet, to go fast; to hurry. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

BET
Black Entertainment Television