odds

630 3.4

The chance that something will happen, often shown by numbers used for betting

noun
/ɑdz/

: probabilidades

But somehow, against all the odds, it is working.
odds 6-1 - Jockey
odds 6-1

Because the odds, the odds of that are slim.

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Examples

And how would you place the odds of Trump winning?
The odds of winning the lottery are usually very low.
It's just that the odds are way against you.

Stephan Speaks
But with Bitcoin, I feel like the odds are way in my favor.

The Iced Coffee Hour
You get wiped out eventually because the odds are not in your favor.
That's where I learned the sad lesson that improving your odds doesn't guarantee success.
THE ODDS ARE TERRIBLE.

Raise the Titanic (1980)
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

Alpha and Omega (2010)
SUCCESS, DESPITE THE ODDS

Academic text (2006)
AGAINST ALL ODDS

Blog text (26)

Synonyms

chance

vsodds

∞ 1.0

Possibility that something will happen, often an opportunity or risk

is more technical and used with numbers in betting and statistics

probability

vsodds

212 3.6

The chance that something will happen, often shown as a number or percent

places emphasis on numeric measures used in betting and statistics

likelihood

vsodds

167 3.6

The chance that something will happen

is more tied to numeric or betting displays than general indication

odds of

vsodds

111 3.5

The chance that something will happen

is used especially with numbers in betting and statistics

betting odds

vsodds

1 3.5

Numbers that show how likely something is and how much you win if you bet

focus is on numeric measure but without payout or stake details

likeliness

vsodds

1 3.6

The chance that something will happen

is used especially with numerical betting and statistical contexts

Antonyms

impossibility

34 5.3

A situation in which something cannot happen

Idioms

at odds

66 4.8

Not agreeing with someone or something

what are the odds

57 7.8

To ask how likely something is to happen, often when you are surprised

against all odds

Informal

22 3.9

To succeed despite very bad chances

to beat the odds

19 5.3

To succeed despite great difficulty or low chances

odds are good

Informal

12 3.7

There is a good chance it will happen

to defy all odds

Informal

1 6.2

To succeed or survive despite big problems that make success unlikely

may the odds be ever in your favor

Informal

1 9.4

To wish someone good luck when the result depends on chance

by all odds

1 6.9

Very likely and without any doubt

to make no odds

1 8.1

To not be important in a situation

to shout the odds

9.5

Say loudly how likely something is, often about a game

Compounds

odds of

111 3.5

The chance that something will happen

odds and ends

Informal

11 2.8

Small leftover things that you keep, like old keys or bits of paper

odds-on

8 5.6

Very likely to happen or succeed

odds-on favorite

7 4.4

A person or team thought most likely to win

odds-maker

Jargon

2 7.9

A person who sets the numbers that show how likely a team or player will win for betting

betting odds

1 3.5

Numbers that show how likely something is and how much you win if you bet

odds-on choice

1 5.3

A person or thing most likely to be chosen, for example to win

How Likely

certainty

Literature

198 3.4

odds

630 3.4

possibility

∞ 2.0

improbability

4 7.0

impossibility

34 5.3

Surface Forms

odds singular

odds plural

Morphology

odds = odd (opaque) = odd + s

Although formally 'odd' + plural '-s', the meaning 'probability' cannot be derived from the modern adjective 'odd', so learners cannot reliably infer the sense.

Etymology

Odds comes from the old use of odd meaning 'uneven' or 'left over', like an odd number that does not split evenly. That idea of something extra became a way to show the comparison of chances in betting and statistics, so odds tell how likely an outcome is, for example 'five to one'.