long shot

noun

ˈlȯŋ-ˌshät 

1

: a venture involving great risk but promising a great reward if successful

also : a venture unlikely to succeed

2

: an entry (as in a horse race) given little chance of winning

3

: a bet in which the chances of winning are slight but the possible winnings great

see also:

by a long shot

Examples of long shot in a Sentence

I hope to double my profits, but I know that's a long shot.

The horse was a long shot, but we bet on him anyway.

She always bets on long shots at the racetrack.

Recent Examples on the Web

So did their affinity for launching long shots, and their grit and effort. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026

Michigan is the favorite at +170, followed by its Final Four opponent, Arizona, at +180, and the Illini, another long shot at +400. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2026

But that’s likely a long shot, all agree. —Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026

Republicans are priced at 6/5, while any other outcome is considered a long shot. —Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for long shot

• allot
• barat
• begot
• besought
• bethought
• bloodshot
• boycott
• buckshot
• crackpot
• croat
• culottes
• dashpot

Kids Definition

long shot

noun

ˈlȯŋ-ˌshät 

1

: a great risk that promises a great reward if successful

2

: an entry (as in a horse race) given little chance of winning