Definition

A large prize or amount of money that is won in a game, lottery, or competition, often after a long period of accumulation.

Example

Winning the jackpot in the lottery changed her life forever.

Conversation

Did you hear about the lottery last night?

Yeah, someone hit the jackpot and won millions!

I can't believe it — imagine what you could do with that money!

Right? It would be like a dream come true to hit the jackpot.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Jackpot is formed from "jack" (a term used in various games, possibly derived from the name of a common playing card or a slang term for a man) and "pot" (from Old French *pot*, meaning a container or vessel). The term originally referred to a large prize in a game, particularly in gambling contexts, where the 'pot' is the accumulated stakes.

Memory Tip

Think of 'jack' as a player in a game and 'pot' as the container holding the prize — together, they remind you that a jackpot is the big prize in a game.

Visually Confused Words