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
Phrases
by a long shot
: by a great deal

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
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.
Spring will likely be the busiest season of the year for you, by a long shot. Roya Backlund, StyleCaster, 23 Dec. 2024 Earlier this month, Rodgers was considered a long shot to remain with the Jets after this season, according to NFL Network. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 16 Dec. 2024 The postseason is a long shot, but the Cowboys kept the door slightly cracked with a 30-14 win Sunday afternoon over the Carolina Panthers. Jon MacHota, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024 There were 31 points scored in final 3:02 of Sunday’s game as the Cowboys righted their ship while the Commanders have now lost three in a row with any challenge of the Eagles at the top of the NFC East looking like a long shot. Ben Morse, CNN, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for long shot 

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of long shot was in 1796

Dictionary Entries Near long shot

Cite this Entry

“Long shot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/long%20shot. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

long shot

noun
1
: a great risk that promises a great reward if successful
2
: an entry (as in a horse race) given little chance of winning

More from Merriam-Webster on long shot

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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