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

These mutations aren’t necessarily inherited; instead they can be caused by certain exposures, or simply by chance. — Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026

There is at least one natural streak in the image — a meteor at centre, caught by chance on one frame. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Charles Lago became owner of Fat Elephants Records by chance. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026

For instance, a transposon fused in the right location can, by chance, create a novel protein that goes on to regulate other genes spread throughout the genome. — Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 21 Sep. 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