parlay

[ pahr-ley, -lee ]

verb (used with object)

1. to bet or gamble (an original amount and its winnings) on a subsequent race, contest, etc.
2. 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

1. a bet of an original sum and the subsequent winnings.

parlay

/ ˈpɑːlɪ /

verb

1. to stake (winnings from one bet) on a subsequent wager Brit equivalentdouble up
2. to exploit (one's talent) to achieve worldly success

noun

1. a bet in which winnings from one wager are staked on another, or a series of such bets

Word History and Origins

Origin of parlay¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of parlay¹

C19: variant of paroli, via French from Neapolitan Italian parolo, from paro a pair, from Latin pār equal, par

Example Sentences

It's one thing to be a talented chef, but if you hate the work it's hard to parlay that into an extraordinary career.

From Salon

In 1992, it entered politics, parlaying its growing popularity to elect lawmakers to parliament.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, his attempt at writing dramas has been parlayed into a career that utilizes something Jones has more familiarity with: self-deprecating humor.

From Los Angeles Times

Will he be able to parlay his political losses since 2016 into another term as president?

From Salon

Sandy Koufax parlayed five magic summers into a plaque at Cooperstown.

From Los Angeles Times

More About Parlay

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.

Where does parlay come from?

The first records of parlay come from the 1820s. It is an alteration of an earlier term, paroli, which came via French from the Italian parolo, which may be a derivative of the Italian paro, meaning “equal.” It might be derived from the Latin pār, which means “pair” (and is also the basis of the word pair).

Say you win a bet. You could take your winnings and go home. But gamblers like to gamble, so they often parlay their bet—they “let it ride” by betting their original wager and all their winnings (with the obvious goal of winning big). The word is used in many different forms of gambling, but in sports betting it means something more specific. A simple example of a parlay bet would be betting on two separate games with one wager. If both of your chosen teams win, you get a bigger payout than if you had bet on the games separately.

More generally, parlay is used in situations when someone starts with something small and builds into something bigger, especially wealth or success, as in She was able to parlay the small amount of exposure she got from winning the contest into international fame.

Parlay was originally and is still primarily used in the United States. The British equivalent is double up, though that term is used in the U.S. as well. Parlay should not be confused with the term parley, typically meaning “an informal conference” or “to hold such a conference.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for parlay?

• let it ride
• double up

What are some words that may share a root or word element with parlay? 

 

• pair
• par

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

• winnings
• bet
• wager
• gamble
• stake
• double

What are some words parlay may be commonly confused with?

• parley

How is parlay used in real life?

Parlay is most commonly used in the context of gambling, and it is increasingly popular in sports betting.

Gonna parlay my winnings from Wednesday night for Saturday's #Powerball

— tinabolich (@christinabolich) January 9, 2016

Gonna go ahead and predict Cano for AL MVP right now. Parlay that bet with the Dodgers signing him next offseason for an insane contract.

— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) March 11, 2013

Always parlay your success and momentum into greater achievement by reinvesting your profits instead of buying "toys".

— Shaukat Adam (@whatisbusiness) May 18, 2011

 

 

Try using parlay!

True or False? 

In sports betting, a parlay bet involves wagering on multiple outcomes.