odds-on

adjective

1
: having or viewed as having a better than even chance to win
the odds-on favorite
2
: not involving much risk : pretty sure
an odds-on bet

Examples of odds-on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But all of these incumbents, including Gloria, appear the odds-on favorites at the moment. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2024 Though Cleveland's Myles Garrett remains the odds-on favorite to win the award (and Wisconsin alumnus T.J. Watt of Pittsburgh deserves some mention as well), Parsons has been a force yet again, on the cusp of a third first-team All Pro selection in as many NFL seasons. Journal Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2024 Favorites won five of the nine races with even-money or odds-on favorites scoring four wins in as many starts. Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Nov. 2023 Still, India is the odds-on favorites for this year’s trophy, with bookmakers citing their impressive roster of stars and the host nation’s advantage. Tim Chan, Variety, 2 Nov. 2023 The two-time defending champion United States is no longer the odds-on favorite to win the title. Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2023 Her improbable victory in the final came against an odds-on favorite in Jabeur, the world No. 6 and thus the sixth seed in the tournament. Justin Klawans, The Week, 15 July 2023 This may be the case for this year's race as well, as one of the Derby's odds-on favorites, Forte, has reportedly been scratched from the competition following an injury during a morning run. Justin Klawans, The Week, 6 May 2023 On this week’s episode of Switched on Pop, hosts Charlie Harding and Nate Sloan immerse themselves in the epic sonic landscapes of the six songs that have been anointed as Eurovision’s odds-on favorites. Charlie Harding, Vulture, 5 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'odds-on.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of odds-on was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near odds-on

Cite this Entry

“Odds-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/odds-on. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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