jackpot

/ˈdʒækpɒt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdʒækpɑːt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈjak-ˌpät/ (ame, mw)

jackpot — noun

  • jackpotsingular
  • jackpotsplural

1. The biggest money prize offered in a lottery, casino game, or similar contest wh

1.名詞B1
釋義

The biggest money prize offered in a lottery, casino game, or similar contest where luck decides the winner.

例句

Bilal checked the screen twice after winning the lottery jackpot.

win the lottery jackpot — collocation

The slot machine jackpot climbed past two million dollars by Friday night.

slot machine jackpot — typical gambling context

同義詞
  • grand prize

    Broader term for the highest award in any contest; it does not specifically suggest gambling

  • top prize

    General expression for the highest award, whether the reward is money or something else

  • pot

    In card games, this is the pool of money being played for, not always the final winning amount

  • windfall

    An unexpected gain of money or benefit, but not necessarily one won in a game

用法筆記

Usually refers to money, especially in lotteries, slot machines, or betting games. Common with verbs such as win, hit, share, and scoop up.

常見錯誤

❌We won the first prize in the lottery.
✅We won the jackpot in the lottery.
💡'jackpot' is the special name for the biggest money prize in games of chance.
❌The jackpot of the art contest was a new bike.
✅The top prize of the art contest was a new bike.
💡'jackpot' usually suggests a money prize in gambling or lotteries, not an ordinary contest.

2. Something that turns out far better than expected and brings a major advantage,

2.名詞B2
釋義

Something that turns out far better than expected and brings a major advantage, reward, or lucky break.

例句

Landing that TV interview was a jackpot for the small charity.

a jackpot for + group — metaphorical gain

The cheap apartment beside the station turned out to be a jackpot.

同義詞
  • windfall

    Stresses an unexpected gain, often money, without the playful gambling image

  • bonus

    Usually means an extra benefit added to something else, often smaller or more routine

  • stroke of luck

    Focuses on good fortune rather than the valuable result itself

  • break

    Informal word for a lucky chance or helpful opportunity

用法筆記

Often used informally for a deal, opportunity, discovery, or piece of good news that gives much more benefit than expected. Unlike sense 1, it does not usually name an official prize.

常見錯誤

❌The team got a jackpot in the contest.
✅The team won the top prize in the contest.
💡This figurative sense means an unexpected benefit, not the formal award itself.
❌Her new boss is a jackpot.
✅Getting support from her new boss was a jackpot.
💡Use it for the lucky result or advantage, not usually for a person alone.