---
title: gamble — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «gamble» in the school dictionary: To gamble is to bet money on a game, race or event, hoping to win more but risking losing it. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# gamble

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** things, gamble, It, we, captain, People · **What happens:** gamble, be, hope, win, risk, lose · **To what, where:** game, more, money, risky action, gamble, more money · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«gamble» in the school dictionary: its 3 meanings for a pupil and its 7 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [gamble in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/gamble.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To gamble is to bet money on a game, race or event, hoping to win more but risking losing it.

<!-- fold The tree, 20 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gamble:m1:1
# text = To gamble is to bet money on a game, race or event, hoping to win more but risking losing it.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	gamble	gamble	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	csubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	bet	bet	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
6	money	money	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
7	on	on	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	game	game	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
11	race	race	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	appos	_	_
12	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
13	event	event	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	15	punct	_	_
15	hoping	hope	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	5	advcl	_	_
16	to	to	PART	TO	_	17	mark	_	_
17	win	win	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	15	xcomp	_	_
18	more	more	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	17	obj	_	_
19	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	20	cc	_	_
20	risking	risk	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	15	conj	_	_
21	losing	lose	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	20	xcomp	_	_
22	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	21	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
23	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **gamble** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn rely-70 «NP V PP.theme S\_ING»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  | a game |  | bet *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **hope** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn long-32.2 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Pivot clause=Theme |
| 4 | **win** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  | more |  |  |  |  | vn succeed-74-2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent more=Eventuality |
| 5 | **risk** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn risk-94-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Agent clause=Theme |
| 6 | **lose** | gerund |  | money |  |  |  |  | vn succeed-74-3-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent it=Eventuality |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To gamble is to take a risk, hoping things turn out well.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gamble:m2:1
# text = To gamble is to take a risk, hoping things turn out well.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	gamble	gamble	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	5	conj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	take	take	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	risk	risk	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
9	hoping	hope	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	5	advcl	_	_
10	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	11	nsubj	_	_
11	turn	turn	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	ccomp	_	_
12	out	out	ADP	RP	_	11	compound:prt	_	_
13	well	well	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	11	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **gamble** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn rely-70 «NP V PP.theme S\_ING»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | take *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **hope** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn long-32.2 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Pivot clause=Theme |
| 4 | **turn out** | present | things |  |  |  |  | well *property* | vn appear-48.1.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A gamble is a risky action or choice.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gamble:m3:1
# text = A gamble is a risky action or choice.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	gamble	gamble	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	risky	risky	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	action	action	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	choice	choice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a gamble | a risky action or choice |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
It was a gamble to leave without umbrellas, and we got wet.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gamble:x1:1
# text = It was a gamble to leave without umbrellas, and we got wet.
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	gamble	gamble	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	leave	leave	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	acl	_	_
7	without	without	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	umbrellas	umbrella	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
10	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
11	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj	_	_
12	got	get	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	conj	_	_
13	wet	wet	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | It | a gamble |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **leave** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | without umbrellas | vn escape-51.1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 3 | **get** | past | we |  |  |  |  | wet *property* | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Experiencer |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The captain took a gamble and it paid off.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gamble:x2:1
# text = The captain took a gamble and it paid off.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	captain	captain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	took	take	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	gamble	gamble	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	paid	pay	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
9	off	off	ADP	RP	_	8	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **take** | past | the captain | a gamble |  |  |  |  | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent gamble=Theme |
| 2 | **pay off** | past | captain |  |  |  |  |  | vn pay-68-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
People who gamble usually lose more money than they win.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gamble:x3:1
# text = People who gamble usually lose more money than they win.
1	People	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nsubj	_	_
2	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	3	nsubj	_	_
3	gamble	gamble	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	1	acl:relcl	_	_
4	usually	usually	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	lose	lose	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	more	more	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	7	amod	_	_
7	money	money	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
8	than	than	SCONJ	IN	_	10	mark	_	_
9	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	_
10	win	win	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **gamble** | present | People |  |  |  |  |  | vn rely-70 «NP V PP.theme S\_ING»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **lose** | present | People | more money |  |  |  | usually *property* | vn succeed-74-3-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent money=Eventuality |
| 3 | **win** | present | People |  |  |  |  |  | vn succeed-74-2 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She gambled on the weather staying sunny.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gamble:x4:1
# text = She gambled on the weather staying sunny.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	gambled	gamble	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	on	on	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	weather	weather	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
6	staying	stay	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	2	advcl	_	_
7	sunny	sunny	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **gamble** | past | She |  |  |  |  | on the weather | vn rely-70 «NP V PP.theme S\_ING»: agent=Agent on weather=Theme |
| 2 | **stay** | gerund | She *not said here* |  |  |  |  | sunny *property* | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Gambling is only for adults, by law.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gamble:x5:1
# text = Gambling is only for adults, by law.
1	Gambling	gambling	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
3	only	only	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
4	for	for	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	adults	adult	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
7	by	by	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	law	law	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | Gambling |  |  |  |  | for adults and law | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Some online games use tricks like gambling to get you to spend money.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gamble:x6:1
# text = Some online games use tricks like gambling to get you to spend money.
1	Some	some	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	3	det	_	_
2	online	online	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	games	game	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
4	use	use	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	tricks	trick	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
6	like	like	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	gambling	gambling	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	get	get	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	advcl	_	_
10	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	9	obj	_	_
11	to	to	PART	TO	_	12	mark	_	_
12	spend	spend	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	xcomp	_	_
13	money	money	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | present | some online games | tricks |  |  |  | like gambling | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent trick=Patient |
| 2 | **get** | to-infinitive | some online games *not said here* | you |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **spend** | to-infinitive | you *not said here* | money |  |  |  |  | vn consume-66-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent money=Asset |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Was it a good gamble or a silly one?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gamble:x7:1
# text = Was it a good gamble or a silly one?
1	Was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
2	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	5	nsubj	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	good	good	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	gamble	gamble	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	silly	silly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	one	one	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | it | a good gamble or a silly one |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

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