bookmaker

[ book-mey-ker ]

noun

1. a person who makes a business of accepting the bets of others on the outcome of sports contests, especially of horse races.
2. a person who makes books.

bookmaker

/ ˈbʊkˌmeɪkə /

noun

1. a person who as an occupation accepts bets, esp on horseraces, and pays out to winning betters

Derived Forms

• ˈbookˌmaking, noun

Other Word Forms

• bookmaking noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bookmaker¹

First recorded in 1375–1425, bookmaker is from the late Middle English word bokmakere. See book, maker

Example Sentences

The 28-year-old Brit also received a Bafta TV Award nomination for A Murder at the End of the World, and is among the bookmakers' favourites to be the next James Bond.

From BBC

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have twice lost in the showpiece and never won the cup - and as a result Pep Guardiola's team are very much the bookmakers' favourites.

From BBC

The winner had traded at odds of 300-1 in-running and his victory saved bookmakers who were fearing payouts into the millions if all four hot favourites won on Tuesday.

From BBC

And Liverpool are overwhelming favourites to win next Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Newcastle - at about 1-4 with bookmakers.

From BBC

By the skin of their teeth, and the width of a goalpost, the bookmakers were proven right when they made England favourites at Twickenham.

From BBC

Related Words

• bettor
• bookie