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gambit

noun
gam·​bit | \ ˈgam-bət How to pronounce gambit (audio) \

Definition of gambit

1 : a chess opening in which a player risks one or more pawns or a minor piece to gain an advantage in position
2a(1) : a remark intended to start a conversation or make a telling point
(2) : topic
b : a calculated move : stratagem
Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about gambit

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Did You Know?

In 1656, a chess handbook was published that was said to have almost a hundred illustrated "gambetts." That early spelling of "gambit" is close to the Italian word, gambetto, from which it is derived. "Gambetto" was used for an act of tripping-especially one that gave an advantage, as in wrestling. The original chess gambit is an opening in which a bishop's pawn is sacrificed to gain some advantage, but the name is now applied to many other chess openings. After being pinned down to chess for about two centuries, "gambit" finally broke free of the hold and showed itself to be a legitimate contender in the English language by weighing in with other meanings.

Examples of gambit in a Sentence

I couldn't tell whether her earlier poor-mouthing had been sincere or just a gambit to get me to pick up the dinner check.

Recent Examples on the Web

 Maybe this latest gambit will force the Mexican government to crack down on the flow of migrants from Central America through its territory on the way to the United States. — Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, "Other voices: Keep the value of free trade in clear sight," 9 June 2019 Live on stage, this gambit is certainly an excellent way to get the audience’s attention. — Kyle Smith, National Review, "An Anti–Me Too Play — from a Surprising Perspective, and from the 1980s," 7 June 2019 This presidential gambit always was going to be a long shot for O’Rourke and that remains true. — Gilbert Garcia, ExpressNews.com, "Contrary to perception, O’Rourke and Buttigieg are in the same spot," 5 June 2019 Seeing that her gambit has disquieted Cindy (Tanya Gorlow) and Christina (Dominique Corona), the outrageous yet ever-gracious Fefu explains her attraction to repulsive ideas by way of a metaphor. — Los Angeles Times, "Review: Under-performed feminist masterpiece ‘Fefu and Her Friends’ is reborn at the Odyssey," 13 Aug. 2019 The company reported that its gambits on bikes and scooters had increased its number of monthly active users, but also warned that those numbers would shrink in winter, when fewer are willing to hop on two wheels. — Aarian Marshall, WIRED, "Uber and Lyft Suggest the Days of Cheap Rides Could Be Over," 8 Aug. 2019 His latest gambit was to threaten Mexico with import tariffs unless the country did more to stop asylum-seekers from Central America from reaching the United States. — Heather Timmons, Quartz, "The Mexico deal is a triumph of Trump’s “speak loudly, carry tiny stick” diplomacy," 11 June 2019 But Western Stars is without question a grower, and most of its musical and narrative gambits pay off. — Dan Deluca, https://www.inquirer.com, "Bruce Springsteen tries out a new sound, under the ‘Western Stars’," 6 June 2019 Despite Perry’s Facebook message, her gambit paid off when a casting agent called her and she was granted an audition for a pilot show Perry is working on. — Alexia Fernandez, PEOPLE.com, "Tyler Perry Begs Actors to Stop Buying Billboards to Get His Attention: 'Please Stop'," 5 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gambit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of gambit

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for gambit

borrowed from Spanish gambito, borrowed from Italian gambetto, literally, "act of tripping someone," from gamba "leg" (going back to Late Latin) + -etto, diminutive suffix — more at jamb

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More Definitions for gambit

gambit

noun
How to pronounce gambit (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of gambit

: a planned series of moves at the beginning of a game of chess
: something done or said in order to gain an advantage or to produce a desired result

See the full definition for gambit in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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More from Merriam-Webster on gambit

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with gambit

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gambit

Spanish Central: Translation of gambit

Nglish: Translation of gambit for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gambit

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