English vocabulary · C1
Parlay
/ˈpɑːr.leɪ/ · v., n.
It means to take something small and turn it into something much bigger.
Watch the Parlay lessonContinue in the learning app for video lessons and review.
Example sentences
- She parlayed one viral post into a full career.
- He parlayed his savings into a growing business.
Word origin and roots
from Old French
- par — equal (from Old French)
- lay — place a bet (from Old French)
Synonyms and nuances
- leverage (using an advantage to gain more)
- convert (turning one resource into another)
- capitalize (taking full advantage of an opportunity)
Words with the same root
par — equal
- parity — the state of being equal or equivalent
- peer — a person equal in rank, status, or ability
- compare — to examine how two things are equal or different
Lesson notes
Parlay. It means to take something small and turn it into something much bigger. You use what you have to gain more.
Similar words are leverage, convert, and capitalize. Use parlay when you turn one small thing into something much bigger.
She parlayed one viral post into a full career. He parlayed his savings into a growing business.
From Old French. Par means equal. Lay means place a bet. When you parlay, you put what you have on the line to gain something much greater. That is parlay.