odds English · revision 6799

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1500}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɒdz/ ''(UK)''; /ɑdz/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is apparently the plural of the adjective [[odd]] used as a noun, or of the obsolete noun odd, an odd number,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998)^(SOED 2002) although the exact sense development is uncertain.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Unequal things or conditions: about 1500 in Etymonline, 1500–20 in the OED,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) first in the phrase ''make odds even''.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Inequality or difference, the amount by which one thing exceeds another, is from the 1540s.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The betting sense, an allowance given to the weaker side, is from the 1590s, first found in Shakespeare's ''2 Henry IV'' (1597);^(Etymonline) the OED has the allowance to a weaker player from 1591.^(OED 1989) The chance or balance of probability in favour of something is by the 1580s.^(Etymonline) Disagreement or strife (1587), as in ''at odds'', is another early sense.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) ''Odds and ends'' (18th century) replaced earlier odd ends.^(Hoad 1986) Until the 19th century odds was treated as singular, like [[news]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) ''Odds-on'' is by 1890.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1500 – unequal things.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1542 – inequality, difference.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1587 – strife, at odds.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1591 – an allowance to a weaker player.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1597 – in wagering, in Shakespeare.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1890 – odds-on.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The likelihood that something will happen: ''the odds are against it''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # In betting, the [[ratio]] between the amounts staked by the parties.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An advantage given to a weaker side to equalize chances.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''at odds'': in disagreement or [[conflict]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[oddsmaker]]

+ * [[odds-on]]

+ * [[odds and ends]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[odd]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}