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odds

Pronunciation: /ɒdz/
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:Nicer is starting at 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) the balance of advantage; superiority in strength, power, or resources:she clung to the lead against all the odds the odds were overwhelmingly in favour of the banks rather than the customer

Phrases

at odds

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

by all odds

North American certainly.

it makes no odds

informal, chiefly British it does not matter: come and see me any time—it makes no odds to me!
[from an earlier use of odds in the sense 'difference in advantage or effect']

lay (or give) odds

offer a bet with odds favourable to the other better: bookies have refused to give odds on the outcome of today’s debate
be very sure about something:I’d lay odds that the person responsible is an insider

over the odds

British above what is generally considered acceptable, especially for a price:you could be paying over the odds for perfume

take odds

offer a bet with odds unfavourable to the other better: you might be tempted to take odds on a dead heat

what's the odds?

informal what does it matter?.
[from an earlier sense of odds; compare with it makes no odds]

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 US English dictionary

Nearby words

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