odds and ends

plural noun

1
a
: miscellaneous articles
b
: miscellaneous small matters (as of business) to be attended to
2
: miscellaneous remnants or leftovers
odds and ends of food

Examples of odds and ends in a Sentence

she's always searching among the odds and ends in the drawer for some tool that she needs almost all of the piece of leather will be needed for upholstering the chair, so just throw away any odds and ends
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Consider this your chance to clear out these odds and ends and start fresh in your new home. Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025 A couple other odds and ends worth mentioning include weakness in the U.S. dollar, strength in gold and triple witching this Friday. Jj Kinahan, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 Use it to stash odds and ends (and glam up your vanity) through the holiday season and beyond. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2025 Craft supplies, holiday decor, photos, or other similar odds and ends do not belong in the laundry room, either. Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for odds and ends

Word History

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of odds and ends was in 1761

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Odds and ends.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/odds%20and%20ends. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

odds and ends

plural noun
: miscellaneous articles, leftovers, or things to do

More from Merriam-Webster on odds and ends

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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