long shot
noun
1
: a venture involving great risk but promising a great reward if successful
also
: a venture unlikely to succeed
2
: an entry (as in a horse race) given little chance of winning
3
: a bet in which the chances of winning are slight but the possible winnings great
Examples of long shot in a Sentence
I hope to double my profits, but I know that's a long shot.
The horse was a long shot, but we bet on him anyway.
She always bets on long shots at the racetrack.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Atlanta Hawks won the lottery last year as a long shot, and their odds were twice as high.
—
Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Prevost was considered a long shot by conclave watchers.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 11 May 2025
The 69-year-old Chicago native is the first pope from the United States in the Catholic Church's history, stunning many who thought a U.S. pope was a long shot.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 11 May 2025
The idea of an American pope has historically been considered a long shot because cardinals typically pick leaders from non-superpower nations.
—Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for long shot
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Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Prevost was considered a long shot by conclave watchers.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 11 May 2025
The 69-year-old Chicago native is the first pope from the United States in the Catholic Church's history, stunning many who thought a U.S. pope was a long shot.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 11 May 2025
The idea of an American pope has historically been considered a long shot because cardinals typically pick leaders from non-superpower nations.
—Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for long shot
Cite this Entry
“Long shot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/long%20shot. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
long shot
noun1
: a great risk that promises a great reward if successful
2
: an entry (as in a horse race) given little chance of winning
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