How do I explain investing to someone who thinks its gambling?

My wife is a very smart woman. She has three bachelor's degrees - one in mathematics and two in computer sciences. She's always quick to grasp new concepts and, if not understand them, at least be able to implement them where necessary.

But she's also incredibly risk-averse. Very picky eater, doesn't like leaving her comfort zone more than absolutely required, etc.

So money can be a sticking point for us at times.

Because of a death in the family, she came into a chunk of money, and it's been sitting in her savings account (0.3% interest rate) for almost 2 years at this point. I want her to invest the money - at least in like bonds or something. But every time I suggest it, she gets really antsy and says something along the lines of "but isn't it like gambling? we could lose it all." How do I explain it to her in a way she can see it's not as risky as she seems to think it is?

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