Betting: meaning, definitions and examples

Refer to situations where people place money on the outcome of a specific event, usually in a more recreational or informal setting like sports or friendly competitions.

• He enjoys betting on horse races every weekend
• They were betting on who could run the fastest

Best used for situations involving broader contexts where money or possessions are risked in games of chance, often with a negative connotation regarding the addiction and financial risk involved.

• He has a serious gambling problem and needs help
• Las Vegas is famous for its gambling casinos

Formal usage in contexts like events, races, or scenarios where bets are placed. It often carries a formal tone compared to 'betting'.

• He was wagering heavily on the football match
• Wagering on horse races can be both exciting and risky

Most appropriate in specialized contexts where money or valuables are put up as a form of investment or collateral, often used in poker or business scenarios.

• She was staking her savings in the risky new venture
• They were staking large amounts of money in that poker game

Used when placing money on the outcome of an event, usually in sports or gambling contexts.

• John enjoys betting on horse races every weekend.
• She won a lot of money by betting on her favorite football team.

Applied primarily in professional or technical contexts to refer to making predictions based on data, often related to weather, economy, or business.

• Weather forecasting has become very sophisticated with modern technology.
• She works in financial forecasting, helping companies predict market trends.

Used in general situations when making a statement about the future based on some form of evidence or intuition.

• The scientist was predicting a significant change in climate patterns.
• He was predicting that the new movie would be a big hit.

Often used in contexts where guesses are being made with some level of uncertainty, typically in finance or informal situations. It can have a negative connotation if implying risky or irresponsible guessing.

• Investors were speculating on the stock market, hoping for a quick profit.
• There's no point in speculating about the outcome without more information.