Cool MateOdds
UK /["/ɒdz/"]/US /["/ɑːdz/"]/
Definition
the degree to which something is likely to happen
In simple words: The chances or likelihood of something happening.
Examples
- The odds of winning the lottery are extremely low.
- She calculated the odds before deciding to invest in the stock market.
- The odds are against us in this competition, but we will try our best.
- The odds of rain tomorrow are quite high according to the weather forecast.
- They placed bets based on the odds given by the bookmaker.
- Despite the odds being stacked against her, she managed to succeed.
- In poker, understanding the odds can significantly improve your chances of winning.
- The odds of two people having the same birthday in a group is surprisingly high.
- At the racetrack, the odds indicate how much you can win based on your bet.
Usage notes
Use 'odds' in conversations about probability or betting. It's neutral, but informal contexts work better. Avoid using it in very formal writing.
Grammar pattern
odds + of + noun/gerund
Memory hint
Think of 'odds' as 'odd chances' — unusual, surprising possibilities.
Collocations
- considerable
- great
- impossible
- offer
- quote
- lay
- fall
- go down
- lengthen
- against the odds
- odds against
- odds of
- against all odds
- against all the odds
- face impossible odds
- considerable
- great
- impossible
- offer
- quote
- lay
- fall
- go down
- lengthen
- against the odds
- odds against
- odds of
- against all odds
- against all the odds
- face impossible odds
- considerable
- great
- impossible
- offer
- quote
- lay
- fall
- go down
- lengthen
- against the odds
- odds against
- odds of
- against all odds
- against all the odds
- face impossible odds
Synonyms
- conflict
Antonyms
- certainty
- inevitability
Common mistakes
- 'Odds' is often confused with 'equal' when discussing chances.
- Learners may misuse 'odds' in singular rather than plural form.
- Some might think 'odds' only refers to gambling contexts.