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odds

odds

2 3.4
The chance that something will happen, often shown by numbers used for betting
  • noun
  • /ɑdz/
translation icon : 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.

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

  • 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.

  • WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

  • 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
473 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
274 3.6

The chance that something will happen

is more tied to numeric or betting displays than general indication
odds of
vsodds
106 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
3.6

The chance that something will happen

is used especially with numerical betting and statistical contexts

Antonyms

37 5.3

A situation in which something cannot happen

Idioms

60 4.8

Not agreeing with someone or something

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

To succeed despite great difficulty or low chances

against all odds
  • Informal
16 3.9

To succeed despite very bad chances

odds are good
  • Informal
2 3.7

There is a good chance it will happen

1 6.9

Very likely and without any doubt

to defy all odds
  • Informal
1 6.2

To succeed or survive despite big problems that make success unlikely

To not be important in a situation

To wish someone good luck when the result depends on chance

Say loudly how likely something is, often about a game

Compounds

106 3.5

The chance that something will happen

odds and ends
  • Informal
9 2.8

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

A person or team thought most likely to win

6 5.6

Very likely to happen or succeed

odds-maker
  • Jargon
1 7.9

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

1 3.5

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

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

How Likely

certainty
  • Literature
202 3.4
odds
2 3.4
possibility
2.0
impossibility
37 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'.