by chance

phrase

: in the haphazard course of events

they met by chance

Examples of by chance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some stopped during their lunch break, while others stumbled across the competition by chance. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

The United States did not become a scientific superpower by chance. — H. Christopher Frey, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026

The prosecutor said their paths crossed by chance and that the roles in the criminal case could easily have been reversed. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Erneste and Hwang met by chance at Park Hill High School north of Kansas City. — Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for by chance

• advance
• askance
• enhance
• expanse
• finance
• freelance
• mischance
• perchance
• romance
• circumstance
• esperance
• exceedance