2 syllables: gam, bler. Stress on gam.
GAM-blur
/ˈɡæmblɚ/
gambler is pronounced GAM-blur (/ˈɡæmblɚ/). It has two syllables (gam-bler), with the stress on "gam". Gambler refers to a person who gambles, especially someone who engages in games of chance for money or prizes. The term often implies habitual or professional betting behavior. It can describe someone who takes calculated risks for potential reward, sometimes with a skeptical or wary attitude toward risk. As a label, it covers both casual and compulsive contexts depending on usage.
Gambler refers to a person who gambles, especially someone who engages in games of chance for money or prizes. The term often implies habitual or professional betting behavior. It can describe someone who takes calculated risks for potential reward, sometimes with a skeptical or wary attitude toward risk. As a label, it covers both casual and compulsive contexts depending on usage.
"The gambler sat at the table, watching the cards intently."
"She warned her friend not to let a losing streak turn him into a gambler."
"The casino lobby buzzed with gamblers hoping for a big win."
Pronounce as GAM-bler. IPA: US /ˈɡæmblər/; UK/AU often /ˈɡæmblə/. Start with a clear /ɡ/ stop, then /æ/ as in cat, then /m/ with closed lips, followed by a light /bl/ cluster, and finish with a relaxed schwa /ər/ or /ə/ depending on accent. Emphasize the first syllable; the second is weak. Audio guidance: search for 'gambler pronunciation' on Forvo or YouGlish to hear variations.
Common mistakes: pronouncing /ˈɡæmblər/ with a trailing /ɹ/ r-coloring in non-rhotic accents; pronouncing /bl/ as a separate syllable too strongly; misplacing the vowel as /eɪ/ or /i/ instead of /æ/. Corrections: keep /æ/ in the first syllable, blend /m/ and /b/ together before the /l/; soften the final /ər/ to a light schwa or /ə/ in non-rhotic accents, ensuring the rhoticity matches your target accent.
US: /ˈɡæmblɚ/ with rhotic /ɹ/ in many dialects and a pronounced /ɚ/ or /ər/ ending. UK/AU: /ˈɡæmblə/ with a non-rhotic ending; /ɫ/ may be clearer before the final vowel. The /æ/ can be broader in Northern UK; Australians often reduce final syllables, leading to /ˈɡæmblə/ with a flatter vowel. Listen to native speaker samples to fine-tune your rhoticity and vowel timing.
The difficulty lies in the consonant cluster /mbl/ and the light, unstressed final /ər/. Coordinating the /m/ with the /bl/ sequence without artificial break is challenging; final /ər/ must be reduced to a schwa in many accents, which can feel uncertain. Practicing the exact sequence /æm/ + /bl/ + /ə/ helps you maintain smooth articulation and natural rhythm.
Yes. The /m/ directly preceding the /bl/ consonant cluster requires precise timing to avoid an overemphasized /m/ and a clipped /bl/; many learners mispronounce as /ˈɡæmblɚ/ with an extra syllable or misplacing the stress. Focus on keeping the first syllable strong, and allow the /bl/ to flow into the final /ə/ or /ɚ/ smoothly.
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Gambler comes from the verb gamble, dating back to the 14th century. The noun derives from Old French gamble, or from medieval English gambil or gambel, meaning an act of risking money on a game or venture. The sense extended from the act of wagering to the person who engages in such wagering. The root word gamble itself likely has uncertain origins but may be linked to Low German gambeln, meaning ‘to play games of chance’ and possibly to Proto-Germanic *gambjaną, implying dangerous or risky action. Over centuries, the word emphasized risk and gaming behavior, shifting from a general act of betting to a fixed character trait describing those who pursue bets as a primary activity. By the 19th and 20th centuries, gambler had entered common usage in English-speaking cultures, carrying connotations that range from light-hearted, casual bettor to notorious or pathological risk-taker, depending on context and tone of voice.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "gambler" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "gambler" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "gambler"
-ble sounds
-ple sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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