What does odds mean?

Definitions for odds
ɒdzodds

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word odds.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. oddsnoun

    the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring

  2. odds, betting oddsnoun

    the ratio by which one better's wager is greater than that of another

    "he offered odds of two to one"

Wiktionary

  1. oddsnoun

    The ratio of the probabilities of an event happening to that of it not happening.

    I'd say the odds are strongly in favor of the sun rising tomorrow morning.

  2. oddsnoun

    The ratio of winnings to stake in betting situations.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Oddsnoun

    Etymology: from odd

    Between these two cases there are great odds. Richard Hooker.

    The case is yet not like, but there appeareth great odds between them. Edmund Spenser, on Ireland.

    I will lay the odds that ere this year expire,
    We bear our civil swords and native fire,
    As far as France. William Shakespeare, Henry IV. p. ii.

    Cromwel, with odds of number and of fate,
    Remov’d this bulwark of the church and state. Edmund Waller.

    I chiefly who enjoy
    So far the happier lot, enjoying thee
    Pre-eminent by so much odds. John Milton, Paradise Lost.

    Shall I give him to partake
    Full happiness with me? or rather not;
    But keep the odds of knowledge in my pow’r
    Without co-partner? John Milton, Paradise Lost, b. ix.

    All these, thus unequally furnished with truth, and advanced in knowledge, I suppose of equal natural parts; all the odds between them has been the different scope that has been given to their understandings to range in. John Locke.

    Judging is balancing an account, and determining on which side the odds lie. John Locke.

    Since every man by nature is very prone to think the best of himself, and of his own condition; it is odds but he will find a shrewd temptation. Robert South, Serm.

    The presbyterian party endeavoured one day to introduce a debate about repealing the test clause, when there appeared at least four to one odds against them. Jonathan Swift.

    Some bishop bestows upon them some inconsiderable benefice, when ’tis odds they are already encumbered with a numerous family. Jonathan Swift, Miscell.

    And tho’ the sword, some understood,
    In force had much the odds of wood,
    ’Twas nothing so; both sides were balanc’d
    So equal, none knew which was valiant’st. Hudibras.

    I can’t speak
    Any beginning to this peevish odds. William Shakespeare, Othello.

    What is the night?
    Almost at odds with the morning, which is which. William Shakespeare.

    He flashes into one gross crime or other,
    That sets us all at odds. William Shakespeare, King Lear.

    The fox, the ape, and the humble-bee,
    Were still at odds, being but three;
    Until the goose came out of door,
    And staid the odds by adding four. William Shakespeare, L. Lab. Lost.

    Gods of whatsoe’er degree,
    Resume not what themselves have given,
    Or any brother God in heav’n;
    Which keeps the peace among the Gods,
    Or they must always be at odds. Jonathan Swift, Miscell.

Wikipedia

  1. Odds

    Odds provide a measure of the likelihood of a particular outcome. They are calculated as the ratio of the number of events that produce that outcome to the number that do not. Odds are commonly used in gambling and statistics. Odds also have a simple relation with probability: the odds of an outcome are the ratio of the probability that the outcome occurs to the probability that the outcome does not occur. In mathematical terms, where p {\displaystyle p} is the probability of the outcome: odds = p 1 − p {\displaystyle {\text{odds}}={\frac {p}{1-p}}} where 1 − p {\displaystyle 1-p} is the probability that the outcome does not occur. Odds can be demonstrated by examining rolling a six-sided die. The odds of rolling a 6 is 1:5. This is because there is 1 event (rolling a 6) that produces the specified outcome of "rolling a 6", and 5 events that do not (rolling a 1,2,3,4 or 5). The odds of rolling either a 5 or 6 is 2:4. This is because there are 2 events (rolling a 5 or 6) that produce the specified outcome of "rolling either a 5 or 6", and 4 events that do not (rolling a 1, 2, 3 or 4). The odds of not rolling a 5 or 6 is the inverse 4:2. This is because there are 4 events that produce the specified outcome of "not rolling a 5 or 6" (rolling a 1, 2, 3 or 4) and two that do not (rolling a 5 or 6). The probability of an event is different, but related, and can be calculated from the odds, and vice versa. The probability of rolling a 5 or 6 is the fraction of the number of events over total events or 2/(2+4), which is 1/3, 0.33 or 33%.When gambling, odds are often the ratio of winnings to the stake and you also get your wager returned. So wagering 1 at 1:5 pays out 6 (5 + 1). If you make 6 wagers of 1, and win once and lose 5 times, you will be paid 6 and finish square. Wagering 1 at 1:1 (Evens) pays out 2 (1 + 1) and wagering 1 at 1:2 pays out 3 (1 + 2). These examples may be displayed in many different forms: Fractional odds with a slash: 5 (5/1 against), 1/1 (Evens), 1/2 (on) (short priced horse). Tote boards use decimal or Continental odds (the ratio of total paid out to stake), e.g. 6.0, 2.0, 1.5 In the US Moneyline a positive number lists winnings per $100 wager; a negative number the amount to wager in order to win $100 on a short-priced horse: 500, 100/–100, –200.

ChatGPT

  1. odds

    Odds represent the likelihood or probability of a particular outcome or event occurring. It is often used in gambling or statistical contexts, where it may be associated with measurements of risk, chance, or uncertainty. Odds are typically expressed as a ratio, for instance, the odds of a coin flip resulting in heads might be 1 to 1, since there are equally two possible outcomes. The first number represents the expected frequency of the specified outcome relative to the frequency of other outcomes.

Wikidata

  1. Odds

    The odds in favor of an event or a proposition is defined by the ratio of the probability that the event will happen to the probability that it will not happen. For example, the odds that a randomly chosen day of the week is a Sunday are one to six, which is sometimes written 1 : 6.; see section 1.5 of Gelman et al.. 'Odds' are an expression of relative probabilities. Often 'odds' are quoted as odds against, rather than as odds in favor. For example, the probability that a random day is a Sunday is one-seventh, hence the odds that a random day is a Sunday are 1 : 6. The odds against a random day being a Sunday are 6 : 1. The first figure represents the number of ways of failing to achieve the outcome and the second figure is the number of ways of achieving a favorable outcome. In probability theory and Bayesian statistics, odds may sometimes be more natural or more convenient than probabilities. This is often the case in problems of sequential decision making as for instance in problems of how to stop on a last specific event which is solved by the odds algorithm. Stating "odds against" is a convenient way to propose a bet. When a bookmaker offers betting odds of 6 : 1 against some event occurring, it means that he is prepared to pay out a prize of six times the stake, and return the stake as well, to anyone who places a bet, by making the stake, that the event will occur. If the event does not occur, then the bookmaker keeps the stake. For example, a winning bet of 10 at 6 : 1 against will win '6 × 10 = 60' with the original 10 stake also being returned. Betting odds are skewed to ensure that the bookmaker makes a profit — if true odds were offered the bookmaker would break even in the long run — so the numbers do not represent the bookmaker's true odds.

Suggested Resources

  1. ODDS

    What does ODDS stand for? -- Explore the various meanings for the ODDS acronym on the Abbreviations.com website.

  2. Odds

    Odd vs. Odds -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Odd and Odds.

Matched Categories

British National Corpus

  1. Written Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'odds' in Written Corpus Frequency: #4334

  2. Nouns Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'odds' in Nouns Frequency: #2275

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce odds?

How to say odds in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of odds in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of odds in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of odds in a Sentence

  1. Samantha Smith:

    What you see with Gov. Christie is what you get. He's a different sort of candidate that tells the truth and talks to voters like adults, he has a proven record of getting things done when the odds are not in his favor.

  2. Randy Budd:

    I've thought about the astronomical odds, i've to let that go. It could drive you crazy.

  3. John Zimmer:

    Lyft has been successful against big odds because we have always prioritized the long term sustainable growth of both our community and our company.

  4. Scott Kimball:

    The stock ownership investment scandal situation involving the Fed, that’s probably what’s influencing that the odds the most.

  5. Mike Huckabee:

    I'm less concerned about what faith the person has. I'm more concerned about the authenticity of their faith and how that plays out in their politics... I'm also concerned about a guy that believes he's a Christian and pretends to be and then says he is, but then does things that makes it very difficult for people to practice their Christian faith, i'm disappointed if someone says,' I'm a Christian,' but you invite the pope into your home and then you invite a whole bunch of people who are at odds with the Catholic Church policy. I think there's something very unseemly about that.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

odds#1#4995#10000

Translations for odds

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"odds." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 7 Dec. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/odds>.

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