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

Phrases

by a long shot

: by a great deal

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

This run – and the exhausted, bewildered looks on the players’ faces throughout it – has no doubt shaped Inter’s odds to win away to Barcelona, which look pretty close to long shot territory. —Sam Tighe, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025

Scott Peterson's strongest argument for overturning his murder conviction might end up being a long shot, according to one criminal defense attorney. —Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025

So Miami would need to finish one game ahead of the Bulls to jump Chicago - something that would be a long shot if the Bulls beat the Heat for a third time on Wednesday. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025

Raising taxes on the rich could be a long shot, though. —Emily Brooks, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025

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