Odds

Odds
Odds 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 expressed by a ratio; as, the odds are three to one that he will win, i. e. he will win three times out of four ``Pre["e]minent by so much odds.'' --Milton. ``The fearful odds of that unequal fray.'' --Trench. [1913 Webster]

The odds Is that we scarce are men and you are gods. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

There appeared, at least, four to one odds against them. --Swift. [1913 Webster]

All the odds between them has been the different scope . . . given to their understandings to range in. --Locke. [1913 Webster]

Judging is balancing an account and determining on which side the odds lie. --Locke. [1913 Webster]

2. Quarrel; dispute; debate; strife; -- chiefly in the phrase at odds. [1913 Webster]

Set them into confounding odds. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

I can not speak Any beginning to this peevish odds. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{At odds}, in dispute; at variance. ``These squires at odds did fall.'' --Spenser. ``He flashes into one gross crime or other, that sets us all at odds.'' --Shak.

{It is odds}, it is probable; same as {odds are}, but no longer used. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.

{odds are} it is probable; as, odds are he will win the gold medal.

{Odds and ends}, that which is left; remnants; fragments; refuse; scraps; miscellaneous articles. ``My brain is filled . . . with all kinds of odds and ends.'' --W. Irving.

{slim odds} low odds; poor chances; as, there are slim odds he will win any medal. [1913 Webster +PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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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 — [ 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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