Collins English-English Dictionary

bet [bεt]

1. 1. n an agreement between two parties that a sum of money or other stake will be paid by the loser to the party who correctly predicts the outcome of an event

2. 2. n the money or stake risked

3. 3. n the predicted result in such an agreement

   his bet was that the horse would win

4. 4. n a person, event, etc, considered as likely to succeed or occur

   it's a good bet that they will succeed

5. 5. n a course of action (esp in the phrase one's best bet)

6. 6. n [informal] an opinion; view

   my bet is that you've been up to no good

7. 7. vb [when intr foll by on or against] to make or place a bet with (a person or persons)

8. 8. vt. [tr] to stake (money, etc) in a bet

9. 9. vt. [tr; may take a clause as object] [informal] to predict (a certain outcome)

   I bet she fails

10. 10. vt. [Etymology] C16: probably short for abet