stake
B2Formal and Informal, versatile across contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A strong wooden or metal post with a pointed end, driven into the ground for support, fencing, or as a marker.
1. Something (e.g., money, reputation) risked in a bet or venture. 2. A share or interest in a business or undertaking. 3. A personal involvement or commitment in a situation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word bridges concrete objects (wooden posts) with abstract concepts of risk and investment, creating a rich metaphorical field.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The idiom 'at stake' is universal. 'Stakeout' (police surveillance) is common in both but originated in American English.
Connotations
Similar connotations of risk and investment in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. Financial/business sense slightly more prevalent in US media, but the difference is minimal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
stake something (on something)stake a claim (to/for something)stake somebody/something outhave a stake in somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “at stake”
- “go to the stake for something/somebody”
- “stake a/your claim”
- “burn at the stake”
- “raise the stakes”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a financial share or investment in a company. 'The venture capitalist acquired a 20% stake.'
Academic
Used in discussions of risk, game theory, or historical analysis (e.g., witch trials). 'The study examines the stakes involved in political decision-making.'
Everyday
Common in expressions about personal risk or marking territory. 'Our reputation is at stake.' 'He staked out a spot on the beach.'
Technical
In surveying/construction: a marker post. In gambling: the money wagered.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I'll stake fifty quid on the home team.
- The explorer staked his claim to the newly discovered island.
- The police have been staking out the warehouse for nights.
American English
- He staked $100 on the playoff game.
- The settler staked a claim for 160 acres of land.
- Reporters staked out the celebrity's hotel.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He put a stake in the garden for the tomato plant.
- Don't touch that, it's not your stake in the game.
- The company offered him a stake in the business.
- We marked the trail with wooden stakes.
- Thousands of jobs are at stake if the factory closes.
- He staked his entire reputation on the success of the new project.
- The activist was willing to go to the stake for her beliefs.
- By publicly criticising the policy, she staked out a bold position within the party.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a VAMPIRE hunter driving a STAKE into the ground, risking (STAKE) his life for a share (STAKE) in saving the town.
Conceptual Metaphor
VALUE/IMPORTANCE IS HEIGHT (high stakes), RISK IS A GAMBLE (stake money), CLAIMING IS MARKING TERRITORY (stake a claim).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'стейк' (steak - meat).
- "Stake" as a post is 'кол' or 'столб', not 'палка'.
- "Have a stake in" means быть заинтересованным в, not just 'иметь'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'stake' with 'steak'.
- Using 'in stake' instead of 'at stake'.
- Misspelling as 'stak' or 'staik'.
Practice
Quiz
In the context of business, what does 'a controlling stake' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are often synonyms. However, 'stake' can be more general, implying an interest or involvement, while 'share' often refers specifically to a divisible unit of equity in a corporation.
No. While common for money, you can have a 'stake' in anything valuable: an outcome, a relationship, your reputation ('emotional stake', 'personal stake').
It means there is a lot to be lost or gained; the risks and potential rewards are very significant.
Yes. As a verb, it primarily means: 1) To risk money or something valuable on an outcome. 2) To mark an area with stakes. 3) To establish a claim. 4) (stake out) To keep watch on a location.
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