Vig

/vɪɡ/ name, noun, slang

name, noun, slang ·Moderate ·College level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: Synonym of vigorish (“charge taken on bets”).
  • Grammar: vig is listed as name, noun, slang.
  • Usage evidence: The house sets vigs on any game they allow you to bet on. It is your responsibility to play only those games where the vig is not prohibitive. Let's take one more look at how vigorish works for the house.

How to use "vig"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "vig" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "vig" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "vig" as the right word for your sentence.

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Compare nearby meanings

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Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "vig" is acting as name, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

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3. Confirm with context

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Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "vig", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Synonym of vigorish (“charge taken on bets”). countable, slang, uncountable

    "The house sets vigs on any game they allow you to bet on. It is your responsibility to play only those games where the vig is not prohibitive. Let's take one more look at how vigorish works for the house."

  2. 2
    Initialism of voter information guide. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism

    "Elections officials aim to send out the VIGs before voters get their ballots. By law, all elections officials must mail the VIG no sooner than 40 days or later than 21 days before an election, or no later than 10 days if the voter was registered later on in the process. Elec. Code §§ 9094, 13303."

  3. 3
    Synonym of vigorish (“interest from a loan, as from a loan shark”). US, countable, slang, uncountable

    "1973, Martin Scorsese, Mardik Martin (screenplay), Mean Streets, quoted in 2009, Ellis Cashmore, Martin Scorsese's America, page 118, “You charged a guy from the neighborhood $1800 vig?” he asks incredulously (“vig” is short for vigorish, meaning a rate of interest from a loan from an illegal moneylender)."

  4. 4
    Synonym of vigorish (“commission, finder's fee, or similar extra charge”). countable, uncountable

    "“Charlie, sign here, here and here.” “So, you're giving me all your money.” “Charlie, for the 500th time, I'm not giving it to you. It's not yours. I'm just setting up a temporary account in your name. What my wife can't find, she can't get.” “Right. That's-- This is good. This is shady, Frank. I like this kind of stuff.” “But you will be handsomely rewarded if you just keep your hands off of this money.” “Right, right. So what's the vig?” “The vig?” “Yeah, man. Like. You know, that's-- what's the vig on this action here?” “Do you even know what "vig" means?”"

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A surname.

Example

"The house sets vigs on any game they allow you to bet on. It is your responsibility to play only those games where the vig is not prohibitive. Let's take one more look at how vigorish works for the house."

Common questions

What does "vig" mean?

Synonym of vigorish (“charge taken on bets”).

How do you use "vig" in a sentence?

The house sets vigs on any game they allow you to bet on. It is your responsibility to play only those games where the vig is not prohibitive. Let's take one more look at how vigorish works for the house.

How do you pronounce "vig"?

Pronounced /vɪɡ/.

Etymology

Clipping of vigorish, from Yiddish וויגריש (vigrish), from Russian вы́игрыш (výigryš, “winnings”).

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