/ ɒdz; NAmE ɑːdz/ noun [ pl. ]
1.
(usually the odds ) the degree to which sth is likely to happen :
The odds are very much in our favour (= we are likely to succeed) .
The odds are heavily against him (= he is not likely to succeed) .
The odds are that (= it is likely that) she'll win.
What are the odds (= how likely is it) he won't turn up?
2.
something that makes it seem impossible to do or achieve sth :
They secured a victory in the face of overwhelming odds.
Against all (the) odds , he made a full recovery.
3.
( in betting ) the connection between two numbers that shows how much money sb will receive if they win a bet :
odds of ten to one (= ten times the amount of money that has been bet by sb will be paid to them if they win)
They are offering long / short odds (= the prize money will be high / low because there is a high / low risk of losing) on the defending champion.
( figurative )
I'll lay odds on him getting the job (= I'm sure he will get it) .
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IDIOMS
- be at odds (with sth)
- be at odds (with sb) (over / on sth)
- it makes no odds
- over the odds
—more at stacked
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WORD ORIGIN
early 16th cent.: apparently the plural of the obsolete noun odd odd number or odd person .