Lottery
ˈlɒtəri
Definitions
2 meaningsA form of gambling that involves drawing lots or tickets to determine winners.
ˈlɒtəri
A game of chance involving the drawing of lots or numbered tickets.
He won the lottery and became a millionaire overnight.
💡 Simply: It's like a game where you buy a ticket, and if your numbers get picked, you win a prize! Like, imagine you buy a lottery ticket, and if your numbers are the ones drawn, you could win a bunch of money!
👶 For kids: A game where you buy a ticket with numbers. If your numbers are picked, you win something!
More Examples
Many people play the lottery hoping to change their lives.
The lottery is a popular form of gambling in many countries.
How It's Used
"The state lottery contributes funds to public education."
"She bought a lottery ticket hoping to win the jackpot."
A situation or process in which the outcome is uncertain and based on chance or randomness.
ˈlɒtəri
A situation or event whose outcome is governed by chance.
Finding a parking spot in the city sometimes feels like a lottery.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, things happen randomly, like winning the lottery. So, when you say something's a 'lottery,' you're saying it's kind of unpredictable. Like getting into a good school might feel like a lottery, because so many people want to go!
👶 For kids: When something can happen by chance, like a surprise!
More Examples
The job market is a lottery; success often depends on luck.
Their assignment to the best department felt like a lottery.
How It's Used
"Choosing a career is often a lottery."
"The college admissions process can feel like a lottery."
Idioms & expressions
The lottery of life
The unpredictable and random nature of life's events and circumstances.
"We often say 'the lottery of life' to express that life events are largely beyond our control."
To buy a lottery ticket
To purchase a lottery ticket with the hope of winning a prize.
"He decided to buy a lottery ticket after seeing the jackpot amount."
From Middle Dutch *lotterie*, from *lot* ('lot, share'). The practice originated in Europe in the medieval period, and the word entered English in the 16th century.
Historically, lotteries have been used to raise funds for public projects and were even used by early American colonies.
Memory tip
Think of drawing lots to decide who gets a prize – a lottery!