bet

plural bets

1. A wager, an agreement between two parties that a stake (usually money) will be paid by the loser to the winner (the winner being the one who correctly forecast the outcome of an event).

   Dylan owes Fletcher $30 from an unsuccessful bet.

2. PhilippinesfigurativelyinformalA candidate (for elections and pageants) or competitor (in multinational sports).
3. Indicating a degree of certainty, or that something can be relied upon.

   It’s a safe bet that it will rain tomorrow.

   3 more examples

   There's a decent bet that we'll be able to reach the top of that hill in an hour.

   It’s an even bet that Jim will come top of the maths test tomorrow.

   There's a good bet that Sally will arrive later.

present singular third person bets · participle present betting · participle past betted · past betted

1. ditransitivetransitiveTo stake or pledge upon the outcome of an event; to wager.

   I('ll) bet I can run faster than you.

   4 more examples

   I bet you dinner at the Ritz that you can't run faster than me.

   I bet(ted) her £5 it wouldn't rain all week.

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

   c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]. Epilogue.”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]

   I'll bet you two to one I'll make him do it.

   1858, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., The Deacon's Masterpiece or The Wonderful One-Hoss Shay

2. transitiveTo be sure of something; to be able to count on something.

   Fancy going for a drink after work? / You bet I do!

3. card gamesTo place money into the pot in order to require others do the same, usually only used for the first person to place money in the pot on each round.

1. Expression of general agreement or acceptance.

   Let me bust a freestyle then (Alright, bet)

   1988, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, “If It Ain't Ruff”, in Straight Outta Compton, performed by N.W.A., track 4

   3 more examples

   He asked if KRS could come by and meet up with a few of us there on Monday night, as he wanted to show him the church and have me build with him. Aight, bet.

   2008 November 5, S.O.U.LMag, number 13, page 66

   Then I rocked the Kansas show and after Jay said, ‘Look, if you want, you can go on tour with us and open and close the shows, but we can’t pay you, but we’ll make sure you get the exposure.’ So I said bet […]

   2013 September 16, Insight News, volume 40, number 38, published 12 September 2013, page 6

   She texted Jimenez and told him it was a nice time, but she wasn’t feeling him and apologized. “Bet,” Jimenez replied, because she kind of pissed him off with that comment.

   2017 November 6, The DePaulia, volume 102, number 8, DePaul University, published 4 November 2017, page 20

2. Exclamation indicating acceptance of a challenge or an absurd proposal.

   What you may not have stopped to consider is that Big Clit Energy (here referred to as B.C.E.) has been around since... BCE! Eve? She looked sin in the eye and said, “Bet.”

   2018 September 4, The Rice Thresher, volume 103, number 3, Rice University, page 9

   1 more example

   “(Drummer Brenden Accettura) texted me that and was like, ‘Should we name our band The Hot Mess Express?’ and I said, ‘Bet.’ So now that’s our name,” Abbie said, getting words out between laughs.

   2019 April 30, Key Magazine, Bowling Green State University: BG Falcon Media, page 26

3. Exclamation of joy at good fortune.

   I started making jokes about him feeling like tough sh*t after that presentation haha. Everyone at school geeked his head up [inflated his ego]. He probably got two fruit cups from the lunch lady that day and said, “Bet! I’m gonna keep doing this!”

   2019 May 31, CopyWrite Magazine, number 14, page 43

plural bets

1. alternativeAlternative form of beth (“Semitic letter”).

1. businessbetween

   insert right-hand needle bet 2 sts just knitted

   1998, Kristin Nicholas, Knitting the New Classics, page 63

1. analytical chemistryAn adsorption technique used to measure the specific surface area of a solid, typically using nitrogen gas at a temperature of 77 K.

1. abbreviationinitialismbroadcastingInitialism of Black Entertainment Television.

1. A diminutive of the female name Elizabeth.