Lottery

Definition

A means of raising money by selling numbered tickets and giving prizes to the holders of numbers drawn at random.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈlɑːtəri/
• Respelling: LAH-tuh-ree (with "LAH" as in "father" and "tuh" as in "cut")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈlɒtəri/
• Respelling: LOT-uh-ree (with "LOT" as in "pot" and "uh" as in "sofa")

In both dialects, "lottery" places the primary stress on the first syllable. The American pronunciation has a longer "ah" sound in the first syllable, while the British pronunciation has a shorter "o" sound.

Etymology

The word "lottery" comes from the Dutch noun "loterij", which derives from the Dutch noun "lot", meaning "fate".

Derivatives

• Lotteries
• Lottery-ticket
• Lottery-winner
• Lottery-funded
• Lottery-bound

Synonyms

• Raffle
• Draw
• Sweepstake

Antonyms

• Guarantee
• Certainty
• Assurance

Usage

Lotteries are commonly used as a means of raising funds for public projects, charities, and other purposes. They can take various forms, including scratch-off tickets, number drawings, and instant-win games.

• She bought a lottery ticket every week, hoping to win big.
• The funds for the school were raised through a local lottery.

Related Terms

• Gambling: The act of risking money or something of value on an event with an uncertain outcome.
• Jackpot: A large cash prize in a game or lottery, typically one that accumulates until it is won.
• Ticket: A piece of paper or card that gives the holder a chance to participate in a lottery or similar game.

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Lottery (Noun): A means of raising money by selling numbered tickets and giving prizes to the holders of numbers drawn at random.
  • Example: "The state lottery funds many public education programs."

• Lottery (Noun): A situation whose outcome is determined by chance.
  • Example: "Winning the contract was a bit of a lottery, considering how many companies were bidding."