odds-on
Americanadjective
adjective
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(of a chance, horse, etc) rated at even money or less to win
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regarded as more or most likely to win, succeed, happen, etc
Etymology
Origin of odds-on
First recorded in 1885–90
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Now, a little more than two years into the job, May has the Wolverines in the national championship as the odds-on favorites to cut down the nets.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
Spirited Boss, at 18-1, held off Amorita as well as defending champion and odds-on favorite Queen Maxima, to win for trainer Jose Francisco D’Angelo.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026
And despite losing on her only previous appearance at the tournament, she is rated odds-on favourite by bookmakers to beat Gurney, a World Cup winner with Northern Ireland, and reach the second round.
From BBC • Dec. 19, 2025
Expectations about the Federal Reserve’s next policy meeting oscillated sharply this past week, with a quarter-point cut in the federal-funds target rate once again being the odds-on bet.
From Barron's • Nov. 22, 2025
"With man an odds-on favourite in the betting."
From Nobody by Jacobs, W. L.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
