wager

1 of 2

noun

wa·​ger ˈwā-jər 

1

a

: something (such as a sum of money) risked on an uncertain event : stake

b

: something on which bets are laid : gamble

do a stunt as a wager

2

archaic : an act of giving a pledge to take and abide by the result of some action

wager

2 of 2

verb

wagered; wagering

ˈwāj-riŋ,

ˈwā-jə- 

intransitive verb

: to make a bet

transitive verb

: to risk or venture on a final outcome

specifically : to lay as a gamble : bet

wager $5 on a horse

wagerer

ˈwā-jər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• stake
• bet

Verb

• bet
• put

Examples of wager in a Sentence

Noun

He has a wager on the game.

I don't think the horse will win. What's your wager?

Verb

She wagered $50 on the game.

I wouldn't wager against them.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Bet up to $1,500 on any wager that appeals to you can get your stake given back in the form of a bonus bet if your bet settles as a loss. —Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025

Over the past several months, a few state regulators have ordered Kalshi to stop accepting wagers on sports events, alleging that the company’s activities do not comply with local gaming laws. —Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025

Verb

While MicroStrategy’s stock has soared over 450% since early 2024, BREA is wagering that Solana’s stronger growth potential and staking rewards will drive even higher returns. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Here, Coppola had the audacity to wager his own capital to make a statement, assemble an old-fashioned theatrical company and invite other creatives to contribute their ideas, all to produce an original film at a time when Hollywood seems highly averse to anything but sequels and superhero movies. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English wageour pledge, bet, from Anglo-French wageure, from *wager

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1602, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing wager

• place/make a wager

Rhymes for wager

• ager
• gauger
• pager
• stager
• yager
• teenager

Kids Definition

wager

1 of 2 noun

wa·​ger ˈwā-jər 

1

: something (as a sum of money) risked on an uncertain event : bet

2

: something (as the outcome of a game or race) on which a bet is made

: gamble

wager

2 of 2 verb

wagered; wagering ˈwāj-(ə-)riŋ 

: to bet on the outcome of a contest or question

wagerer

ˈwā-jər-ər 

noun