Words / B1

LOT-uh-ree/ˈlɒtəri/

A lottery is a game of chance with tickets (the National Lottery), and a situation that feels unfairly random: a postcode lottery for care. Raffle is a close twin for small charity draws. Funding: felt like a lottery after the grant was cut.

Meaning

A game in which people buy tickets and a few win money by chance; also an unfair lottery for resources.

Examples

• “Funding felt like a lottery after the grant was cut.”
• “The National Lottery grant paid for the new changing rooms.”

Good to know

the National Lottery; a postcode lottery. Close (small): a raffle. NHS variation stories. Countable games / metaphorical lotteries.

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