51Թ

Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

odds

[odz]

noun

(usually used with a plural verb)
  1. the probability that something is so, will occur, or is more likely to occur than something else.

    The odds are that it will rain today.

  2. the ratio of probability that something is so, will occur, or is more likely to occur than something else.

  3. this ratio used as the basis of a bet; the ratio by which the bet of one party to a wager exceeds that of the other, granted by one of two betting opponents to equalize the chances favoring one of them.

    The odds are two-to-one that it won't rain today.

  4. an equalizing allowance, as that given the weaker person or team in a contest; handicap.

  5. an advantage or degree of superiority on the side of two contending parties; a difference favoring one of two contestants.

  6. an amount or degree by which one thing is better or worse than another.



odds

/ ɒ /

plural noun

  1. the probability, expressed as a ratio, that a certain event will take place

    the odds against the outsider are a hundred to one

  2. the amount, expressed as a ratio, by which the wager of one better is greater than that of another

    he was offering odds of five to one

  3. the likelihood that a certain state of affairs will be found to be so

    the odds are that he is drunk

  4. the chances or likelihood of success in a certain undertaking

    their odds were very poor after it rained

  5. an equalizing allowance, esp one given to a weaker side in a contest

  6. the advantage that one contender is judged to have over another

    the odds are on my team

  7. a significant difference (esp in the phrase it makes no odds )

    1. on bad terms

    2. appearing not to correspond or match

      the silvery hair was at odds with her youthful shape

  8. to offer a bet with favourable odds

  9. to accept such a bet

    1. more than is expected, necessary, etc

      he got two pounds over the odds for this job

    2. unfair or excessive

  10. informalwhat difference does it make?

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

51Թ History and Origins

Origin of odds1

First recorded in 1490–1500; special use of odd
Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. at odds, at variance; in disagreement.

    They were usually at odds over political issues.

  2. by all odds, in every respect; by far; undoubtedly: Also by long odds, by odds.

    She is by all odds the brightest child in the family.

In addition to the idioms beginning with odds, also see against all odds; at odds; by all odds; lay odds.
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

And for still believing, against the odds, in the American dream.

From

Brooklyn and Nicola are in search of their own identities, which "may be putting them at odds with the careful public image that the Beckhams have created for the family", he says.

From

Against all the odds, he re-emerged in the new millennium to delight his old fans and capture a new generation of music lovers.

From

“Hope is always there,” said Pages, who has beaten impossibly long odds once.

From

Many California officials, who have long been at odds with Trump, say the president was trying to exploit the situation for his political advantage and sow unneeded disorder and confusion.

From

Advertisement

Related 51Թs

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


odd-pinnateodds and ends