bingo

[ bing-goh ]

noun

, (sometimes initial capital letter)

1. a form of lotto in which balls or slips, each with a number and one of the letters B, I, N, G, or O, are drawn at random and players cover the corresponding numbers printed on their cards, the winner being the first to cover five numbers in any row or diagonal or, sometimes, all numbers on the card.

interjection

1. (used to call a win in bingo.)
2. (used to express suddenness or swiftness, as of an action):

   He waved his hand, and, bingo, the card reappeared.

3. (used to acknowledge someone's sudden understanding or correct response):

   Bingo! That's just what I meant!

bingo

/ ˈbɪŋɡəʊ /

noun

1. a gambling game, usually played with several people, in which numbers selected at random are called out and the players cover the numbers on their individual cards. The first to cover a given arrangement of numbers is the winner Compare lotto

sentence substitute

1. a cry by the winner of a game of bingo
2. an expression of surprise at a sudden occurrence or the successful completion of something

   and bingo! the lights went out

Word History and Origins

Origin of bingo¹

First recorded in 1935–40; apparently alteration of beano ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of bingo¹

C19: perhaps from bing , imitative of a bell ringing to mark the win

Example Sentences

“This one was not on my Bingo card.”

From BBC

Play along on Election Night with Salon's Election Night Bingo Cards, available to download at salon.com!

From Salon

Play along on Election Night with Salon’s Election Night Bingo Cards, available to download at salon.com!

From Salon

To keep yourself entertained while awaiting the results of the 2024 election on Tuesday night, look no further then Salon's official election night bingo cards.

From Salon

We've even made bingo cards for you to play along with at home, tailored to MSNBC, CNN and Fox News coverage.

From Salon

Related Words

• poker
• roulette