sweepstake
C1informal
Definition
Meaning
A gambling competition or lottery in which participants contribute money to a prize pool, with the winner(s) taking all.
The prize itself awarded in such a competition; any contest where entry requires payment and the winner takes all or a large share.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Historically referred to horse racing; now broadly applied to various prize draws, especially promotional ones. Often shortened colloquially to 'sweeps'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both varieties, but 'sweepstakes' is more common as the plural form in American English. British English may use 'sweepstake' for singular more readily.
Connotations
Associated with fundraising, charity events, and promotional marketing in both regions.
Frequency
Moderately common; frequency spikes around major sporting events and promotional periods.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[enter/win/organise] + sweepstakesweepstake + [for/on something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “clean sweep”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in marketing for promotional prize draws to attract customers.
Academic
Rare; may appear in historical or sociological studies of gambling.
Everyday
Common for describing office pools, charity raffles, or promotional competitions.
Technical
In gambling regulation, refers to a specific type of pooled betting.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I entered a sweepstake at the fair.
- The office sweepstake for the football final has a £50 prize.
- She won the charity sweepstake, netting a weekend getaway for two.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SWEEP the STAKE (prize money) – imagine sweeping up all the prize money in a contest.
Conceptual Metaphor
GAMBLING IS A RACE (from its horse-racing origins).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'подметание' which is nonsensical. Use 'лотерея' or 'розыгрыш приза'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'sweepstake' as a verb (e.g., 'I sweepstaked').
- Confusing plural: 'sweepstakes' often treated as singular in AmE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common modern use of 'sweepstake'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. 'Sweepstake' is singular, 'sweepstakes' is plural, but in American English 'sweepstakes' is often used as a singular noun (e.g., 'a sweepstakes').
A sweepstake typically involves no skill and winners are chosen by chance from participants, often with an entry fee. A lottery is a specific, often state-regulated form of gambling with tickets sold.
No, 'sweepstake' is only a noun. You cannot 'sweepstake' something.
No, legality varies by jurisdiction. Many places have specific gambling laws that regulate or prohibit sweepstakes, especially if they require purchase or payment to enter.