Odds Definition & Meaning

American

British

More Idioms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms odds American [odz] / ɒdz /

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.

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.

odds British / ɒdz /

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 )

8. 1. on bad terms

   2. appearing not to correspond or match

      the silvery hair was at odds with her youthful shape

9. to offer a bet with favourable odds

10. to accept such a bet

11. 1. more than is expected, necessary, etc

       he got two pounds over the odds for this job

    2. unfair or excessive

12. informal what 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 odds More Idioms

More idioms and phrases containing odds

• against all odds
• at odds
• by all odds
• lay odds

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.

In the vague clockwork of industry deservedness, the odds have always favored Paul Thomas Anderson.

From Salon

A Chicago aquarium overcame one in a million odds to raise a warty frogfish.

From MarketWatch

Higher fuel prices also add to inflation, which in turn dampens odds of an interest-rate cut.

From Barron's

Over longer periods, extreme cold and rainfall slightly reduce the odds that young birds will survive to adulthood.

From Science Daily

That view is at odds with recent fears of an AI reckoning within the workforce.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• likelihood

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.