gamble

GAM-bul

meaning in plain English

A risky bet or chance you take on something that might not turn out well.

Picture a coin flip at a carnival—every toss is a gamble, a quick bet that could win or lose in a heartbeat.

for example

I took a gamble on a horse race last weekend.

Ever tossed a coin to decide whether to splurge on concert tickets or save for rent? That’s a gamble—betting your cash on an uncertain outcome. After all, what’s the fun in a game if you already know the answer?