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 figure that Miley Cyrus and Teddy Swims are both long shots. —Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026

Almendares, a 37-1 long shot, held on for third. —Tim Reynolds, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026

Chris Harris, who became the Jets’ interim coordinator after Wilks was fired, is also a possibility, but remains a long shot. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026

Earlier in the game, that joy seemed like a long shot. —Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 21 Jan. 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