gamble

/ˈgam-bəl/

probably back-formation from gambler, perhaps alteration (by dissimilation, or substitution of the frequentative suffix -le) of early Modern English gamner "player in a game," from gamen "to play" (going back to Middle English gamenen, going back to Old English gamenian, derivative of gamen ) + -er

verb

  1. to play a game for money or property

  2. to bet on an uncertain outcome

  3. to stake something on a contingency : take a chance

noun

  1. an act having an element of risk

  2. something chancy

  3. the playing of a game of chance for stakes

phrasal verb

  1. to lose (something, such as money) by gambling

She gambled away her inheritance.