Main Entry: odds

Pronunciation: \ˈädz\

Function: 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 b1930>
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 : in every way : without question <by all odds the best book of the year>