Cool MateGambled vs Stake
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Gambled
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Stake
Top 5,000 (fairly common)C1noun
| Gambled | Stake | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈɡæmbəld//🇺🇸 //ˈɡæmbəld// | 🇬🇧 /["/steɪk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/steɪk/"]/ |
| Meaning | To risk money on an event with an uncertain outcome. | A stake is a strong post or a share in something. |
| Example | She gambled all her savings on the horse race. | He drove a wooden stake into the ground to mark the boundary of his property. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | gamble responsibly, gamble excessively, gamble on sports, gamble for money, gamble with fate | controlling, large, majority, have, own, acquire, stake in, big, high, low, play for, raise, lower, at stake, with so much at stake |
| Antonyms | invested, trusted | disinterest, detachment |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'gambol' which means to leap or skip., Using 'gamble' as a noun when it should be a verb, or vice versa., Incorrectly using past tense forms; 'gambled' is the right form. | Confused with 'steak', the food., Using 'stake' without an object, like saying 'I have a stake' without specifying what it's in., Overusing 'stake' in informal settings. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in contexts involving betting on games or events. Avoid in formal writing unless discussing gambling as a serious issue. | Use 'stake' when talking about interests in projects, money, or property. It's neutral, suitable for both formal and casual contexts. Avoid using 'stake' in overly casual conversations as it may sound too serious. |
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Frequently asked questions: Gambled vs Stake
What's the difference between Gambled and Stake?
Gambled: To risk money on an event with an uncertain outcome. Stake: A stake is a strong post or a share in something.
Can you show an example of each?
Gambled: She gambled all her savings on the horse race. Stake: He drove a wooden stake into the ground to mark the boundary of his property.
Can I use Gambled and Stake interchangeably?
Not always. Gambled and Stake are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.