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

Considering the depth the Bucs have at receiver with Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson returning, and rookie Ted Hurst a lock to make the club, Patterson is a long shot to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

But Cigar, at odds of 1-10, got caught up in a speed duel and wound up losing to a 39-1 long shot named Dare and Go. — Jay Posner, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Getty Images Record of the Year is one possibility, but that seems like a true long shot. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

From its inception, the Swift Boost mission was always viewed as a long shot. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 19 Aug. 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