chance

²chance

verb

chancedchanc·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

1. He couldn't chance playing with a broken toe.
2. <I don't think we should chance driving in this snowstorm.>

First Known Use of CHANCE

14th century

Related to CHANCE

Synonyms: adventure, risk, gamble (on), hazard, tempt, venture

Related Words: beard, brave, brazen, breast, challenge, confront, dare, defy, face, outbrave; compromise, endanger, imperil, jeopardize, menace; expose, subject; bet (on), wager

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide