crapshoot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

It is informal and derives from 'craps' (a dice game), which itself has a vulgar etymology. While it is widely used in mainstream American media and conversation, it may be considered mildly coarse or inappropriate in very formal settings. It is best avoided in academic or official business writing.

No, standard usage treats 'crapshoot' exclusively as a noun (e.g., 'It's a crapshoot'). Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to crapshoot') is non-standard and would be considered an error by most speakers and dictionaries.

A 'gamble' is a broader term for any risky undertaking. A 'crapshoot' is a specific type of gamble where the outcome is seen as almost entirely random, with little to no skill or reliable information influencing the result. All crapshoots are gambles, but not all gambles are crapshoots.

While you may occasionally see it written as two words ('crap shoot'), the standard, dictionary-listed form is the closed compound 'crapshoot'. Using the single-word form is always correct in modern usage.

An enterprise or event with an unpredictable outcome, dependent largely on chance.

Crapshoot is usually informal, figurative in register.

Crapshoot: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrapʃuːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkræpʃuːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.