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View synonyms for bookie

bookie

[ book-ee ]

bookie

/ ˈbʊkɪ /

noun

  1. informal.
    short for bookmaker
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of bookie1

First recorded in 1880–85; book(maker) + -ie
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Example Sentences

But, according to the UK bookies, Vinicius Jr is the odds-on favourite.

From BBC

Jenrick - the bookies’ favourite to win - said he would rebuild “a new Conservative party”, an echo of New Labour in the 1990s.

From BBC

Somehow, though, he managed to run up sizable debts, at times selling memorabilia to satisfy his bookies.

Unbeaten De La Salle is such a heavy favorite to win Division 1 that the bookies in Las Vegas probably wouldn’t have taken any bets.

When he entered the villa, Joey Essex quickly became the bookies' favourite to win the series.

From BBC

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More About Bookie

What does bookie mean?

A bookie is a person whose business is accepting other people’s gambling bets, such as on sporting events. It can also refer to a company that does this.

Bookie is the common, informal name for a bookmaker. The word book in bookmaker refers to a record of bets.

The word bookie is associated with illegal betting operations, especially those run by organized crime groups. However, being a bookie can be done legally. Still, as modern sports betting becomes more widespread, sophisticated, and run by large businesses, the image of a bookie as a shady person writing down bets by hand in a book is likely on the decline.

Example: I got a hot tip on a horse—I better call my bookie!

Where does bookie come from?

The first records of the word bookie come from the 1880s. It’s a shortened version of bookmaker, in which the word refers to a record of bets. The suffix -ie is used in informal and diminutive nouns. The first records of the word bookmaker come from around 1400. The word maker is used in the same way in the related word oddsmaker.

A bookie is often also an oddsmaker—the person (or organization) that sets the odds for a particular contest. The bookie usually makes money by adding their profits into the odds of each bet.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for bookie?

What are some words that share a root or word element with bookie

What are some words that often get used in discussing bookie?

How is bookie used in real life?

Bookie is always used in the context of betting, whether legal or otherwise.

 

Try using bookie!

True or False? 

All bookies are criminals.

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