bookmaker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Informal/Neutral in gambling context; otherwise formal/technical.
Quick answer
What does “bookmaker” mean?
A person or organization that takes bets (especially on horse racing or other sporting events) and calculates the odds.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or organization that takes bets (especially on horse racing or other sporting events) and calculates the odds.
In a broader sense, a person who creates books by binding them; an antiquated use. Also used metaphorically for someone who fixes or arranges things, especially illicitly.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term for a betting professional. The shortened form 'bookie' is more common in casual UK speech. The US may use 'sportsbook' or 'bookie' in similar contexts.
Connotations
Neutral within the gambling industry, but can carry negative moral/legal connotations outside of it, particularly in social contexts where gambling is frowned upon.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English due to the prominence of horse racing and legal betting shops. In US English, use increased with the spread of legalized sports betting.
Grammar
How to Use “bookmaker” in a Sentence
[bookmaker] + [verb: offered, slashed, set] + [odds][gambler] + [bet with/placed a bet with] + [bookmaker][bookmaker] + [was fined/was licensed]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bookmaker” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- bookmaking operations
- bookmaker licensing
American English
- bookmaking software
- bookmaker regulations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a company or individual in the gambling industry, discussing revenue, market share, or regulations.
Academic
Rare, except in sociological, economic, or legal studies related to gambling.
Everyday
Used when discussing placing bets, sports results, or stories about gambling wins/losses.
Technical
Specific to the gambling and betting industry, referring to risk management and odds calculation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bookmaker”
- Using it to mean 'author' or 'publisher'.
- Spelling as two words: 'book maker'.
- Pronouncing the 'k' in 'book' and 'm' in 'maker' separately, not as a compound.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the standard, neutral term for the profession within the gambling industry. In general discourse, it can be neutral or slightly informal; 'bookie' is the distinctly informal version.
Historically, yes, but this meaning is now archaic and obsolete. In modern English, it exclusively refers to a betting professional or, by extension, the business entity.
A 'bookmaker' is the person or entity setting odds and accepting bets. A 'sportsbook' is the place (physical or online) where betting occurs, or the business itself, especially in American English. The terms are often used interchangeably.
No, the legality of bookmaking varies greatly by country and jurisdiction. In many places, it is heavily regulated and requires a government-issued license to operate legally.
A person or organization that takes bets (especially on horse racing or other sporting events) and calculates the odds.
Bookmaker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbʊkmeɪkə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbʊkˌmeɪkər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's got the bookmakers running scared.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a person who MAKES a BOOK of bets - they record all wagers in their ledger.
Conceptual Metaphor
GAMBLING IS COMMERCE / The bookmaker is a 'merchant of risk'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary, modern meaning of 'bookmaker'?