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View synonyms for bookmaker

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
“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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Derived Forms

  • ˈbookˌmaking, noun
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Other Words From

  • bookmaking noun adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of bookmaker1

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

Littler, who finished runner-up on his debut last year, has been installed as the favourite by bookmakers after winning the Grand Slam.

From BBC

Lynette White, who was a sex worker, was stabbed more than 50 times in a flat above a bookmakers on 14 February 1988.

From BBC

Chelsea are now odds-on favourites to win the entire tournament with the bookmakers, a remarkable state of affairs at this early stage of the competition.

From BBC

On Saturday, at a sold-out Rec, Bristol and Bath produced another nine tries and an upset as the Bears proved too sharp for the bookmakers' title favourites.

From BBC

Dowd determined that Rose had bet on baseball games, including his own team’s, with three bookmakers, using five intermediaries or “runners” to place the bets and collect winnings, if any.

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Related Words

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More About Bookmaker

What does bookmaker mean?

A bookmaker is a person or institution whose business is accepting other people’s gambling bets, such as on sporting events.

A bookmaker is more commonly called a bookie, especially when it refers to a person. The word book in bookmaker refers to a record of bets.

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

The word bookmaker can also refer to a person or company that makes books.

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

Where does bookmaker come from?

The first records of the word bookmaker come from around 1400. The word book in bookmaker refers to a record of bets. The word maker is used in the same way in the related word oddsmaker.

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

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for bookmaker?

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

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

How is bookmaker used in real life?

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

 

Try using bookmaker!

True or False? 

All bookmakers are criminals.

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