odds
Americannoun
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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.
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the ratio of probability that something is so, will occur, or is more likely to occur than something else.
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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.
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an equalizing allowance, as that given the weaker person or team in a contest; handicap.
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an advantage or degree of superiority on the side of two contending parties; a difference favoring one of two contestants.
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an amount or degree by which one thing is better or worse than another.
idioms
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at odds, at variance; in disagreement.
They were usually at odds over political issues.
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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.
plural noun
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the probability, expressed as a ratio, that a certain event will take place
the odds against the outsider are a hundred to one
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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
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the likelihood that a certain state of affairs will be found to be so
the odds are that he is drunk
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the chances or likelihood of success in a certain undertaking
their odds were very poor after it rained
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an equalizing allowance, esp one given to a weaker side in a contest
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the advantage that one contender is judged to have over another
the odds are on my team
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a significant difference (esp in the phrase it makes no odds )
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on bad terms
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appearing not to correspond or match
the silvery hair was at odds with her youthful shape
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to offer a bet with favourable odds
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to accept such a bet
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more than is expected, necessary, etc
he got two pounds over the odds for this job
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unfair or excessive
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informal what difference does it make?
Etymology
Origin of odds
First recorded in 1490–1500; special use of odd
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What markets are currently pricing in is elevated tail risk, or odds of a catastrophic event.
From MarketWatch
These included higher elevation areas with more moisture and vegetation, highly saline zones exposed to intense UV radiation, and fog-fed oases where plant life flourishes against the odds.
From Science Daily
There is more indirect impact, such as higher oil prices fueling inflation concerns and possibly raising the odds of rate hikes.
“February’s report increases the odds of the latter.”
From Barron's
The odds on Monday still favored the next rate cut in July, according to the CME FedWatch tool, but investors showed more doubt after the attack on Iran.
From MarketWatch
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.
