odds

[ odz ]

/ ɒdz /

noun (usually used with a plural verb)

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.

the ratio of probability that something is so, will occur, or is more likely to occur than something else.

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.

an equalizing allowance, as that given the weaker person or team in a contest; handicap.

an advantage or degree of superiority on the side of two contending parties; a difference favoring one of two contestants.

an amount or degree by which one thing is better or worse than another.

Idioms for odds

at odds, at variance; in disagreement: They were usually at odds over political issues.

by all odds, in every respect; by far; undoubtedly: She is by all odds the brightest child in the family. Also by long odds, by odds.

Origin of odds

First recorded in 1490–1500; special use of odd

Words nearby odds

oddball, oddfellow, oddish, oddity, oddment, odds, odds and ends, odds and sods, odds are, the, odds-on, oddsbodikins

Definition for odds (2 of 2)

odd

[ od ]

/ ɒd /

adjective, odd·er, odd·est.

differing in nature from what is ordinary, usual, or expected: an odd choice.

singular or peculiar in a strange or eccentric way: an odd person; odd manners.

fantastic; bizarre: Her taste in clothing was rather odd.

leaving a remainder of 1 when divided by 2, as a number (opposed to even): Numbers like 3, 15, and 181 are odd numbers.

more or less, especially a little more (used in combination with a round number): I owe three hundred-odd dollars.

being a small amount in addition to what is counted or specified: I have five gross and a few odd dozens.

being part of a pair, set, or series of which the rest is lacking: an odd glove.

remaining after all others are paired, grouped, or divided into equal numbers or parts: Everybody gets two hamburgers and I get the odd one.

left over after all others are used, consumed, etc.

(of a pair) not matching: Do you know you're wearing an odd pair of socks?

not forming part of any particular group, set, or class: to pick up odd bits of information.

not regular, usual, or full-time; occasional; casual: odd jobs.

out-of-the-way; secluded: a tour to the odd parts of the Far East.

Mathematics. (of a function) having a sign that changes when the sign of each independent variable is changed at the same time.

noun

something that is odd.

Golf.

a stroke more than the opponent has played.
British. a stroke taken from a player's total score for a hole in order to give him or her odds.

Origin of odd

1300–50; Middle English odde < Old Norse oddi odd (number)

SYNONYMS FOR odd

1 extraordinary, unusual, rare, uncommon. See strange.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR odd ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR odd

1 ordinary, usual, common.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR odd ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM odd

odd·ly, adverb odd·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH odd

ad add odd

Example sentences from the Web for odds

The odds of getting re-arrested are a lot slimmer if a person has a job.

His First Day Out Of Jail After 40 Years: Adjusting To Life Outside |Justin Rohrlich |January 3, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
But taking such action puts them at odds with the most powerful and best-organized segment of their coalition.

How Public Sector Unions Divide the Democrats |Daniel DiSalvo |December 29, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The rift put Washington at odds with countries like Brazil, Uruguay or Chile, which seemed to have come to terms with their past.

Venezuela Says Goodbye to Its Lil Friend, While the Rest of the Continent Cheers |Catalina Lobo-Guererro |December 20, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
This puts them at odds with the countless polytheistic religions, where many gods compete for prominence.

Does Pope Francis Believe Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God? |Jay Parini |December 7, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Since Nestdrop continues to do so as of this writing, they wager a tense gamble that the odds will be in their favor.

Days Are Numbered for Nestdrop, LA’s ‘Uber for Weed’ |Justin Hampton |December 6, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
A player who gives the odds of a piece, may give it each game from the king's or queen's side, at his option.

Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million |Sarah Josepha Hale
As for Pierre, he was now in his element, sniffing the battle like a young warhorse, and forgetful of the odds against him.

The Raid From Beausejour; And How The Carter Boys Lifted The Mortgage |Charles G. D. Roberts
But though the struggle was fierce, the odds were too great for it to be long.

History of The Reign of Philip The Second King of Spain |William H. Prescott
Hundreds of times—literally hundreds—I have known whole evenings devoted to discussing the odds.

The Chequers |James Runciman
Two of the eight decamped, at this juncture; making the odds six, instead of eight, to one.

Famous Privateersmen and Adventurers of the Sea |Charles H. L. Johnston

British Dictionary definitions for odds (1 of 2)

odds

/ (ɒdz) /

pl n

(foll by on or against) the probability, expressed as a ratio, that a certain event will take place the odds against the outsider are a hundred to one

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

the likelihood that a certain state of affairs will be found to be so the odds are that he is drunk

the chances or likelihood of success in a certain undertaking their odds were very poor after it rained

an equalizing allowance, esp one given to a weaker side in a contest

the advantage that one contender is judged to have over another the odds are on my team

British a significant difference (esp in the phrase it makes no odds)

at odds

on bad terms
appearing not to correspond or matchthe silvery hair was at odds with her youthful shape

give odds or lay odds to offer a bet with favourable odds

take odds to accept such a bet

over the odds

more than is expected, necessary, etche got two pounds over the odds for this job
unfair or excessive

what's the odds? British informal what difference does it make?

British Dictionary definitions for odds (2 of 2)

odd

/ (ɒd) /

adjective

unusual or peculiar in appearance, character, etc

occasional, incidental, or random odd jobs

leftover or additional odd bits of wool

not divisible by two
represented or indicated by a number that is not divisible by twographs are on odd pages Compare even 1 (def. 7)

being part of a matched pair or set when the other or others are missing an odd sock; odd volumes

(in combination) used to designate an indefinite quantity more than the quantity specified in round numbers fifty-odd pounds

out-of-the-way or secluded odd corners

maths (of a function) changing sign but not absolute value when the sign of the independent variable is changed, as in y=x³ See even 1 (def. 13)

odd man out a person or thing excluded from others forming a group, unit, etc

noun

golf

one stroke more than the score of one's opponent
an advantage or handicap of one stroke added to or taken away from a player's score

a thing or person that is odd in sequence or number

Derived forms of odd

oddly, adverb oddness, noun

Word Origin for odd

C14: odde: from Old Norse oddi point, angle, triangle, third or odd number. Compare Old Norse oddr point, spot, place; Old English ord point, beginning

Scientific definitions for odds

odd

[ ŏd ]

Divisible by 2 with a remainder of 1, such as 17 or -103.

Idioms and Phrases with odds

odds

In addition to the idioms beginning with odds

odds and ends
odds are, the

also see:

against all odds
at odds
by all odds
lay odds

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

odds

noun (usually used with a plural verb)

Idioms for odds

Origin of odds

Words nearby odds

Definition for odds (2 of 2)

adjective, odd·er, odd·est.

noun

Origin of odd

SYNONYMS FOR odd

ANTONYMS FOR odd

OTHER WORDS FROM odd

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH odd

Example sentences from the Web for odds

British Dictionary definitions for odds (1 of 2)

pl n

British Dictionary definitions for odds (2 of 2)

adjective

noun

Derived forms of odd

Word Origin for odd

Scientific definitions for odds

Idioms and Phrases with odds

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

odds

noun (usually used with a plural verb)

Idioms for odds

Origin of odds

Words nearby odds

Definition for odds (2 of 2)

adjective, odd·er, odd·est.

noun

Origin of odd

SYNONYMS FOR odd

ANTONYMS FOR odd

OTHER WORDS FROM odd

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH odd

Words related to odds

Example sentences from the Web for odds

British Dictionary definitions for odds (1 of 2)

pl n

British Dictionary definitions for odds (2 of 2)

adjective

noun

Derived forms of odd

Word Origin for odd

Scientific definitions for odds

Idioms and Phrases with odds