chance

chance · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Happening by luck; accidental.

  2. 2.

    A possibility of something happening.

  3. 3.

    To do something despite risk.

  4. 4.

    An opportunity to do something.

  5. 5.

    To happen by luck.

  6. 6.

    The occurrence of events without apparent cause.

  7. 7.

    Luck or fortune.

Forms

plural: chances

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    by chance — accidentally
  • •
    take a chance — to risk
  • •
    fat chance — very unlikely (ironic)
  • •
    stand a chance — to have a possibility
  • •
    chance of a lifetime — rare opportunity
  • •
    leave nothing to chance — plan everything carefully
  • •
    game of chance — gambling

Related words

Antonyms: certainty, impossibility
See also: luck, opportunity, possibility, risk
Synonyms: luck, opportunity, possibility, prospect

Etymology

From Old French "cheance" meaning accident or fortune, from Latin "cadentia" meaning a falling, from "cadere" meaning to fall.