bookmaker
Americannoun
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a person who makes a business of accepting the bets of others on the outcome of sports contests, especially of horse races.
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a person who makes books.
noun
Usage
What does bookmaker mean? A bookmaker is a person or institution whose business is accepting other people’s gambling bets, such as on sporting events.A bookmaker is more commonly called a bookie, especially when it refers to a person. The word book in bookmaker refers to a record of bets.The words bookie and bookmaker are sometimes associated with illegal betting operations, especially those run by organized crime groups. However, being a bookmaker can be done legally. Still, as modern sports betting becomes more widespread, sophisticated, and run by large businesses, the image of a bookmaker as a shady person writing down bets by hand in a book is likely on the decline.The word bookmaker can also refer to a person or company that makes books.Example: I got a hot tip on a horse—I better call my bookmaker!
Other Word Forms
- bookmaking noun
Etymology
Origin of bookmaker
First recorded in 1375–1425, bookmaker is from the late Middle English word bokmakere. See book, maker
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Unlike traditional sports wagering, where odds are set by a bookmaker, sports-related event contracts are priced based on how other traders are betting in the market.
Wales were not looking like a team that had lost 23 out of their previous 25 games, who had come into this as no-hopers with the bookmakers.
From BBC
For bookmakers, DSG is "giving their bettors some tools, like statistics and reference material over a period of archives, so they can take decisions on that", said Rajesh D'Souza, its business director.
From Barron's
It is, according to bookmakers, the unlikeliest Super Bowl match-up of modern times.
From Barron's
The bookmakers predict a similarly leisurely final quarter for Wigglesworth and his team on Saturday, though.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
