odds

5 ENTRIES FOUND:

odds /ˈɑːdz/ noun

odds

/ˈɑːdz/

noun

Britannica Dictionary definition of ODDS

[plural]

: the possibility that something will happen : the chance that one thing will happen instead of a different thing

She wanted to improve her odds [=chances] of winning.
They believe that surgery may increase his odds of survival. [=may make it more likely that he will survive]
There's a chance it could rain, but odds are that it'll be sunny tomorrow. [=it is more likely to be sunny than rainy tomorrow]
The team has made some major improvements, but they still face long odds. [=they still are not likely to win]

— often used with the

The odds are good that he'll survive. [=he is likely to survive]
What are the odds of winning?
What are the odds that they'll be there on time?
Smoking increases the odds of getting lung cancer.
The odds are in our favor. [=it is likely that we will succeed]
She knew that the odds were against her. [=she knew that she was not likely to succeed]
It could rain tomorrow, but the odds are against it. [=it probably will not rain]
The odds are in favor of a major storm this weekend. [=a major storm is likely this weekend]

: conditions that make it difficult for something to happen

They fought against great/heavy/impossible/overwhelming odds and won.
He was able to do it, against all odds. [=even though it was very difficult and unlikely]

— often used with the

: two numbers that show how much a person can win by betting a certain amount of money

I bet $1,000 at 4–1 odds. If the horse I bet on wins, I will walk away with $4,000.
winning at odds of 6–1

at odds

: not agreeing with each other : in a state of disagreement

The parents and teachers are still at odds (about/over what to teach the students).

— often + with

The two groups have long been at odds with each other.
He was completely at odds [=he completely disagreed] with the way the problem was being handled.
The results of the study are at odds with our previous findings.