parlay
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to bet or gamble (an original amount and its winnings) on a subsequent race, contest, etc.
-
Informal. to use (one's money, talent, or other assets) to achieve a desired objective, as spectacular wealth or success.
He parlayed a modest inheritance into a fortune.
noun
verb
-
Brit equivalent: double up. to stake (winnings from one bet) on a subsequent wager
-
to exploit (one's talent) to achieve worldly success
noun
Usage
What does parlay mean? In gambling, to parlay a bet means to “let it ride”—to wager the original amount and any winnings on a subsequent bet. Parlay can also be used as a noun to refer to such a bet.Sometimes it means something more specific, especially in the context of sports betting: a single wager that depends on the outcome of multiple events, most commonly sports games.Parlay can also be used in a general way meaning to use a resource, such as money or talent, to achieve an outcome, such as wealth or success.Example: I always end up trying to parlay my winnings and then losing everything.
Etymology
Origin of parlay
An Americanism first recorded in 1820–30; alteration of earlier paroli, from French, from Neapolitan Italian, plural of parolo, perhaps derivative of paro “equal,” from Latin pār; pair 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
One mark against prediction markets for FanDuel: The nature of event contracts make it difficult to replicate parlay bets, one of the most profitable types of wagers for a sportsbook.
From Barron's • Dec. 22, 2025
This fall, Kalshi unveiled a “combo” product that allows customers to create multiple-legged bets on the same game — essentially a parlay.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 24, 2025
Last month, Kalshi launched a same-game parlay product, one of the more profitable products that DraftKings and FanDuel offer.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 21, 2025
But Paris’ mother, Kathy, didn’t parlay her daughter’s 15 minutes into 14 seasons of reality TV, as Kris Jenner did for Kim.
From Salon • Jul. 24, 2025
“That counts for something. You just have to parlay it into something more.”
From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
