keno
LowInformal
Definition
Meaning
A gambling game resembling bingo, where players mark numbers on a card as they are randomly drawn.
A game of chance, typically played in casinos and some lotteries, involving the selection of numbers. The term is sometimes used informally to refer to any rapid, random selection process.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to a specific casino/lottery game. Does not have other common meanings in modern English. It is a proper noun that has become a common noun for the game.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The game is less common in the UK than in the US, where it is a staple in many casinos and state lotteries. The word is understood but rarely used in everyday British English.
Connotations
In the US, it connotes casual casino gambling or state lottery games. In the UK, it may carry a stronger association with American culture or specific gambling halls.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English due to the game's prevalence.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] plays keno.[Subject] wins at keno.[Subject] buys a keno ticket.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No specific idioms. The word itself is the name of a game.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in the gaming and hospitality industry (e.g., 'The casino's keno revenue increased').
Academic
Rare. Might appear in studies of gambling, probability, or recreational mathematics.
Everyday
Used when discussing gambling or lottery activities (e.g., 'They played keno while waiting for the show').
Technical
Used in gaming regulation, casino management, or lottery system documentation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not used as a verb.
American English
- Not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not used as an adjective.
American English
- Not used as an adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We played keno at the fair.
- She has a keno ticket.
- Do you know how to play keno?
- He won a small prize playing keno in the casino.
- The odds of winning the top prize in keno are extremely low.
- Many American state lotteries offer a version of keno.
- Keno, with its rapid-fire draws and simple mechanics, is designed for continuous play and is a significant revenue stream for gaming establishments.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'KEY-NO'. You need the KEY winning numbers to win, but often you get NO win.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A GAMBLE -> 'Playing keno' can metaphorically describe taking a random, low-odds chance on something.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with the Russian name 'Кено' (Quinoa). They are homographs from different languages.
- The word is a direct borrowing, so the meaning is the same, but the cultural context (casinos) may be less familiar.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it /ˈkɛnoʊ/ (like 'ken' with 'o'). Correct is /ˈkiːnoʊ/.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to keno'). It is almost exclusively a noun.
- Confusing it with 'Keno' as a brand or place name.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'keno' primarily?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are similar but different. In keno, players choose their own numbers (usually up to 20) from a larger set (e.g., 1-80), and numbers are drawn randomly. In bingo, players are given a card with pre-printed numbers, and they mark them as called.
Keno is very common in casinos across the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is also offered by many state and national lotteries.
Yes, many online casinos and lottery sites offer digital versions of keno with live draws or random number generators.
The word 'keno' is believed to come from the French word 'quine', meaning 'five winning numbers', which itself came from Latin 'quini' (five each).