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

Mo, who arrived by chance among the pirates as an infant, has been brought up by the ship’s kindly captain, Claas. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026

Collins entered the picture by chance shortly after arriving in San Francisco from New York at age 18. — Cary Baker, SPIN, 20 Oct. 2026

Margaritora, the chief thoracic surgeon at Rome's Gemelli hospital, also confirmed that the nodule was discovered by chance during routine abdominal examinations. — Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026

Margaritora, the chief thoracic surgeon at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, also confirmed that the nodule was discovered by chance during routine abdominal examinations. — Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 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