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

According to oddsmakers, Thompson is a long shot to win the Vezina this year. —Jesse Granger, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2026

Tatum underwent surgery the very next day, but a return to form this quickly was considered a long shot. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026

But that seems to be a long shot, depending on how fast his case moves. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026

So did their affinity for launching long shots, and their grit and effort. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 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