noun
odds
AHDZ/ɑːdz/
The chance that an event will happen.
The odds of drawing a blue marble from this bag are high.
Etymology
From an extra, unpaired unit, odds came to describe things that did not come out even. This notion of inequality may underlie the sense of chances or probability, though the exact development is uncertain.
In context
your odds of winning on a Powerball or Mega Millions ticket are very low about one in 300 million
More examples
- The odds of rain increase throughout the afternoon.
- Practicing your answers improves your odds of getting the job.
- What are the odds that we choose the same number?
Forms
odds
Similar words
- chance
- A general term for possibility, without implying a numerical comparison.
- likelihood
- Emphasizes how probable something is, usually without betting language.
- probability
- Often expresses likelihood numerically, rather than as a betting ratio.