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.
Floyd Collins, the 1994 Off Broadway musical that finally made its Broadway bow and seemed somewhat more revered in memory than loved in the present, is a long shot, as is the charming but underwhelming Pirates! Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 June 2025 That feels like a long shot, though maybe the film’s sweetness and optimism will resonate in the current moment. Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025 And a faintly absurd long shot just came in for the actor Rolf Saxon. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025 After storming all the way back, Tyrese Haliburton chucked up a long shot that hit the back iron and dropped in. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Long shot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/long%20shot. Accessed 10 Jun. 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

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