noun
Common
odds
odz
Odds (noun) means the likelihood of something happening, especially as expressed in betting. Example: “Given the heavy snow, the odds of the match going ahead looked poor.”
noun
1
The likelihood of something happening, especially as expressed in betting.
"Given the heavy snow, the odds of the match going ahead looked poor."
"The odds of winning the lottery are extremely slim."
"Bookmakers shortened the odds after the star player was confirmed fit."
2
A handicap given to a weaker player or side to even out a contest.
"The champion offered his novice opponent odds of a queen to even things up."
"In the village tournament, the stronger players gave odds so everyone had a fair chance."
"She gave her younger brother odds of two extra turns to make the game fair."
How to use odds
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe chances of something happening, or a betting handicap.
Common pairings
against the odds
the odds of
beat the odds
long odds
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Given the heavy snow, the _____ of the match going ahead looked poor.
Etymology
From "odd" in the old sense of "uneven" — the imbalance between two outcomes.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for odds
See all rhymes for odds →Frequently asked questions
What does “odds” mean?
The word “odds” means the likelihood of something happening, especially as expressed in betting. In plain terms, the chances of something happening, or a betting handicap.
How do you pronounce “odds”?
“Odds” is pronounced odz (/ɑdz/ in IPA).
How do you use “odds” in a sentence?
Here is “odds” used in a sentence: “The odds of winning the lottery are extremely slim.”
What part of speech is “odds”?
“Odds” is a noun.
Is “odds” a common word?
“Odds” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “odds” have?
“Odds” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the likelihood of something happening, especially as expressed in betting.
What is the difference between "odds" and "probability"?
Both express how likely something is, but odds usually compare the chance of an event happening to it not happening, such as 3 to 1, while probability is given as a fraction or percentage of all outcomes. Betting odds also build in the bookmaker's margin.
Is "odds" singular or plural?
"Odds" is used as a plural noun and normally takes a plural verb, as in "the odds are against us." It is not usually used in the singular in this sense.
What do "long odds" and "short odds" mean?
"Long odds" mean an outcome is unlikely, so a winning bet pays out more, while "short odds" mean it is likely and pays out less. The longer the odds, the smaller the chance of the event happening.
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