gambler

noun

gam·​bler -blə(r) How to pronounce gambler (audio)
plural -s
Synonyms of gamblernext
: one that gambles: such as
a
: one that habitually plays games of chance for money : gamester
b
: one that for pay or other financial advantage provides the space and equipment needed to permit others to gamble
c
: one that takes risks
if a publisher doesn't want to be a gambler, he shouldn't be a publisher—Publishers' Weekly
specifically : speculator
the … financial gamblers who now have all our livelihoods at their mercy —G. B. Shaw

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of obsolete English gamner, gamener, from obsolete English gamen, verb, to play (from Middle English gamenen, from Old English gamenian) + English -er; akin to Old Norse gamna to amuse; denominative from the root of Old English gamen game

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gambler was in 1784

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Rhymes for gambler

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Browse Nearby Words

gamble away
gambler
gambling
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Cite this Entry

“Gambler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gambler. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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