1
: having or viewed as having a better than even chance to win
the odds-on favorite
2
: not involving much risk : pretty sure
an odds-on bet

Examples of odds-on in a Sentence

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.
Reds infielder Sal Stewart, the odds-on favorite to win the NL rookie of the year award, led MLB with 51 challenges and was successful 28 times. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 Los Angeles, a pre-season Super Bowl odds-on favorite, enters Week 4 at 1-2. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026 Victories by Germany’s AfD in state elections have thrown the viability of the country’s government into doubt, while France’s National Rally is the odds-on favorite to win next year’s presidential election. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Denver catches the odds-on preseason Super Bowl favorite just at the right time — on a short week and not at full strength. — Sam Jane, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for odds-on

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of odds-on was in 1888

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Odds-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/odds-on. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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