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odds

Syllabification: (odds)
Pronunciation: /ädz/
Translate odds | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of odds

noun

  • the ratio between the amounts staked by the parties to a bet, based on the expected probability either way:the bookies are offering odds of 8-1 it is possible for the race to be won at very long odds
  • (usually the odds) the chances or likelihood of something happening or being the case:the odds are that he is no longer alive the odds against this ever happening are high
  • (usually the odds) superiority in strength, power, or resources; advantage:she clung to the lead against all the odds the odds were overwhelmingly in favor of the banks rather than the customer

Phrases

at odds

in conflict or at variance:his behavior is at odds with the interests of the company

by all odds

North American certainly; by far.

lay (or give) odds

offer a bet with odds favorable to the other bettor.
be very sure about something:I’d lay odds that the person responsible is an insider

take odds

offer a bet with odds unfavorable to the other bettor.

Origin:

early 16th century: apparently the plural of the obsolete noun odd 'odd number or odd person'

odds in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of odds in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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