odds

odds
noun plural but singular or plural in construction Date: circa 1520 1. a. archaic inequalities b. obsolete degree of unlikeness 2. a. an amount by which one thing exceeds or falls short of another <
won the election by considerable odds
>
b. (1) a difference favoring one of two opposed things <
overwhelming odds
>
(2) a difference in terms of advantage or disadvantage <
what's the odds, if thinking so makes them happy — Flora Thompson
>
c. (1) the probability that one thing is so or will happen rather than another ; chances <
the odds are against it
>
(2) the ratio of the probability of one event to that of an alternative event 3. disagreement, variance — usually used with at <
faculty and administration often are at odds on everything — W. E. Brock b1930
>
4. a. special favor ; partiality b. an allowance granted by one making a bet to one accepting the bet and designed to equalize the chances favoring one of the bettors c. the ratio between the amount to be paid off for a winning bet and the amount of the bet

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • odds — S3 [ɔdz US a:dz] n [plural] ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(probability)¦ 2¦(difficulties)¦ 3 be at odds 4¦(horse racing etc)¦ 5 it makes no odds 6 pay over the odds ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1.) ¦(PROBABILITY)¦ the odds how lik …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • odds — [ɒdz ǁ ɑːdz] noun [plural] 1. the odds how likely it is that something will happen: • The odds of us achieving our sales targets are very poor. • The odds are (= it is likely that ) selling will continue. 2. difficulties that make a good result… …   Financial and business terms

  • Odds — stellen in der Wahrscheinlichkeitstheorie und Statistik eine Möglichkeit dar, Wahrscheinlichkeiten anzugeben. Beispielsweise spricht man von einer 1:1 Chance, dass bei einem Münzwurf Kopf erscheint. Mathematisch berechnen sich Odds als Quotienten …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Odds — ([o^]dz), n. sing. & pl. [See {Odd}, a.] 1. Difference in favor of one and against another; excess of one of two things or numbers over the other; inequality; advantage; superiority; hence, excess of chances; probability. The odds are often… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • odds — [ adz ] noun plural ** 1. ) the chances of something happening: the odds of doing something: The odds of getting hit by a falling satellite are very small. (the) odds are (that) (=it is likely that): The odds are they won t succeed. the odds are… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • odds — ► PLURAL NOUN 1) the ratio between the amounts staked by the parties to a bet, based on the expected probability either way. 2) (the odds) the chances of something happening or being the case. 3) (the odds) the balance of advantage; superiority… …   English terms dictionary

  • odds — [ädz] pl.n. [sometimes, esp. formerly, with sing. v.] 1. Archaic inequalities 2. Now Rare difference or amount of difference 3. difference in favor of one side over the other; advantage 4. an equalizing advantage given or received in betting,… …   English World dictionary

  • odds-on — UK US adjective ► thought most likely to happen, succeed, or do a particular thing: odds on to do sth »He is odds on to serve another term as president of the Commission. odds on for sth »Next month looks odds on for a further rise in interest… …   Financial and business terms

  • odds-on — adj 1.) odds on favourite the person, horse etc that is most likely to win a race or other competition 2.) BrE informal very likely it s odds on (that) ▪ It s odds on that she won t come. be odds on to do sth ▪ They must have felt they were odds… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • odds-on — adjective INFORMAL very likely: it is odds on (that): It s odds on that Gerry will miss the meeting again. be odds on to do something: Pearson is odds on to play his last game on Saturday. the odds on favorite the person or animal that people… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Odds On —   First edition cover Author(s) …   Wikipedia

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