Gambit Meaning
/ˈɡæmbɪt/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn opening in chess in which material is sacrificed to gain an advantage.
nounAny ploy or stratagem.
Sentence Examples
The chess player opened with a clever gambit.
Her gambit to delay the meeting failed.
His opening gambit in the negotiation was very clever.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
In chess, a ____ is an opening move that sacrifices a piece for advantage.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The grandmaster's opening ____ surprised his opponent and gave him an early advantage in the chess match.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *kh₂em- Proto-Indo-European *kh₂emp- Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *kh₂empeh₂ Proto-Hellenic *kampā́ Ancient Greek καμπή (kampḗ)bor. Late Latin gamba Italian gamba Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Italic *-tosder.? Late Latin -ittus Italian -etto Italian gambettobor. English gambit Borrowed from Italian gambetto (“act of tripping; gambit”), from gamba (“leg”) + -etto (diminutive suffix). First attested in 1656.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The Red Holocaust is best interpreted in this light as the bitter fruit of an^([sic]) utopian gambit that was socially misengineered into a dystopic nightmare by despots in humanitarian disguise."
— 2009, Steven Rosefielde, Red Holocaust, page 240:
"An opening sequence, featuring a de-aged Ford playing a younger Indy, is a bold and nostalgic gambit, offering a glimpse of what you've missed."
— 2023 June 29, City AM, London, page 18, column 2:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
In chess, a ____ is an opening move that sacrifices a piece for advantage.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The grandmaster's opening ____ surprised his opponent and gave him an early advantage in the chess match.