chance
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1chance
noun \ˈchan(t)s\Definition of CHANCE
1
a : something that happens unpredictably without discernible human intention or observable cause b : the assumed impersonal purposeless determiner of unaccountable happenings : luck <an outcome decided by chance> c : the fortuitous or incalculable element in existence : contingency
2
: a situation favoring some purpose : opportunity <needed a chance to relax>
3
: a fielding opportunity in baseball
4
a : the possibility of a particular outcome in an uncertain situation; also : the degree of likelihood of such an outcome <a small chance of success> b plural : the more likely indications <chances are he's already gone>
5
a : risk <not taking any chances> b : a raffle ticket
— chance adjective
— by chance
: in the haphazard course of events <they met by chance>
See Examples of CHANCE
- This is the chance of a lifetime!
- Everyone deserves a fair chance of winning the award.
- If you give me a chance, I know I can do a good job.
- We didn't have much chance to talk about it.
- There's a good chance that we'll finish on time.
- If you are free tonight, is there any chance you could join me for dinner?
- Which cards you're given is simply a matter of chance.
Origin of CHANCE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *cadentia fall, from Latin cadent-, cadens, present participle of cadere to fall; perhaps akin to Sanskrit śad- to fall off
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to CHANCE
- Antonyms
- sure thing
2chance
verbchancedchanc·ing
Definition of CHANCE
intransitive verb
1
a : to take place, come about, or turn out by chance : happen <it chanced to rain that day> b : to have the good or bad luck <we chanced to meet>
2
: to come or light by chance <they chanced upon a remote inn>
transitive verb
1
: to leave the outcome of to chance
2
: to accept the hazard of : risk <knew the trip was dangerous but decided to chance it>
— chance one's arm
British : to take a risk
Examples of CHANCE
- He couldn't chance playing with a broken toe.
- <I don't think we should chance driving in this snowstorm.>
First Known Use of CHANCE
14th century
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