ODDS


Meaning of ODDS in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈädz ]

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 b 1930

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

- by all odds

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.