chance

noun \ ˈchan(t)s \

Updated on: 30 Nov 2017

Definition of chance

1 a : something that happens unpredictably without discernible human intention or observable cause

Which cards you are dealt is simply a matter of chance.

b : the assumed impersonal purposeless determiner of unaccountable happenings : luck

an outcome decided by chance

c : the fortuitous or incalculable element in existence : contingency

… you surely have endured strange chances …
—Alfred Tennyson

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

What chance has he of pulling through?

; also : the degree of likelihood of such an outcome

a small chance of success

b chances 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 chance defined for English-language learners

See chance defined for kids

Examples of chance in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of chance from the Web

The school also could reschedule its canceled game against Louisiana Monroe for Dec. 2, giving FSU four chances to reach six wins for bowl eligibility.

— safid deen, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Florida State in search of elusive home victory against Syracuse Saturday," 3 Nov. 2017
The Hobart City Council has agreed to some policy changes proposed by the Humane Society of Hobart board of directors that will give animals brought there a greater chance for survival and adoption.

— karen caffarini, Post-Tribune, "Humane society promotes policy changes at Hobart facility," 3 Nov. 2017
But then, by chance, one town got hit twice during the study.

— caroline beaton, The Atlantic, "Humans Are Bad at Predicting Futures That Don’t Benefit Them," 2 Nov. 2017
Everyone dreams of a chance to play in Game 7 of the World Series.

— david barron, Houston Chronicle, "Astros' bullpen comes up short in key spot in Game 6 loss," 1 Nov. 2017
But Jackson’s chances are on life support at this point.

— jake lourim, The Courier-Journal, "Heisman Watch: Lamar Jackson's chances hurt by Louisville’s 5-4 record," 30 Oct. 2017
The chance of getting involved in something from scratch that could become a big thing was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.

— frank sabatini, Pacific San Diego Magazine, "Chef DJ Tangalin adapts culinary prowess at Bivouac Ciderworks," 30 Oct. 2017
But to Keery, the break-up offered both Steve and Nancy the chance to grow as characters.

— laura bradley, vanityfair.com, "Stranger Things: Why Steve Harrington Should Be Your New Fan Favorite," 28 Oct. 2017
But to Keery, the break-up offered both Steve and Nancy the chance to grow as characters.

— laura bradley, HWD, "Stranger Things: Why Steve Harrington Should Be Your New Fan Favorite," 28 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

chance Synonyms

Synonyms

accident, casualty [archaic], circumstance, hap, hazard, luck

Antonyms

sure thing

Related Words

fortuitousness, fortuity, haphazardry, randomness, uncertainty; fluke, happenchance, happenstance; destiny, doom, fate, fortune, lot; danger, peril, risk

Near Antonyms

intent, intention, purpose; design, outline, plan, scheme

chance

verb

Definition of chance

chanced; chancing

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

See chance defined for English-language learners

Examples of chance in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of chance from the Web

Veneto was twice denied by the constitutional court to chance to hold a referendum for autonomy before a 2001 constitutional change that allowed Italy’s 15 regions to seek autonomy.

— Washington Post, "Italy’s 2 richest regions seek more autonomy from Rome," 22 Oct. 2017
But the West Side should leave nothing to chance with all these others aggressively pushing for their projects.

— jason williams, Cincinnati.com, "PX: FC Cincinnati fans are loud about stadium. West Side, where are you?," 29 Sep. 2017
The school advisory committee is set to meet on October 2 to review the handbook, so there is still chance the ban will be lifted.

— courtney campbell, Country Living, "A Grade School In Canada Just Banned Cartwheels," 20 Sep. 2017
His latest successful record bid, however, left nothing to serendipity or to chance.

— peter ford, The Christian Science Monitor, "Not mad, just adventurous: Cyclist completes trip around the world in 80 days," 19 Sep. 2017
Suffering a few hours of thirst is always a better option than chancing days of sickness and serious dehydration.

— cynthia drescher, CNT, "Is It Safe to Drink Coffee or Tea on Planes?," 14 Sep. 2017
Rowan Black and his friends, all from Germany, decided to chance it and showed up at the airport at 3 a.m., hoping to find a flight anywhere out of Miami.

— evan halper, latimes.com, "Patience in short supply as desperation sets in among South Florida residents still in Hurricane Irma's path," 8 Sep. 2017
As the air gets crisper and crisper, movie theaters also start to chance, as more and more horror films vie for a chance to be the year's Halloween crown jewel.

— lilian min, Cosmopolitan, "Clowns Are Reportedly Losing Work Because of the New It Movie," 29 Aug. 2017
Doom may or may not be waiting for them, but why chance it?

— ben golliver, SI.com, "Joel Embiid's Max Contract Isn't Strictly Boom-or-Bust Proposition," 9 Oct. 2017

Origin and Etymology of chance

see ¹chance

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

chance Synonyms

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

CHANCE Defined for English Language Learners

chance

noun

Definition of chance for English Language Learners

: an opportunity to do something : an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done
: the possibility that something will happen
: the way that events happen when they are not planned or controlled by people

chance

verb

Definition of chance for English Language Learners

: to accept the danger of (doing something)

CHANCE Defined for Kids

chance

noun \ ˈchans \

Definition of chance for Students

1 : the happening of events that is not planned or controlled

They met by chance.

2 : opportunity 1

I had a chance to travel.

3 : ¹risk 1, gamble

take chances

4 : the possibility that something will happen

There's a slight chance of rain.

5 : a ticket in a raffle

He bought five chances.

chance

verb

Definition of chance for Students

chanced; chancing

1 : to take place without planning : to happen by luck

“I merely chanced to overhear Mr. McGrath remark that he was starting it …”
—Robert Lawson, Rabbit Hill

2 : to find or meet unexpectedly

I chanced on a bargain.

3 : to accept the danger of : risk

He couldn't chance another injury.

chance

adjective

Definition of chance for Students

: happening without being planned

a chance meeting

Learn More about chance

See words that rhyme with chance Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for chance Spanish Central: Translation of chance Nglish: Translation of chance for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of chance for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chance

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up chance? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

chance

Definition of chance

chance

People Are Reading

Examples of chance in a Sentence

Recent Examples of chance from the Web

Origin and Etymology of chance

chance Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

chance

Definition of chance

Examples of chance in a Sentence

Recent Examples of chance from the Web

Origin and Etymology of chance

chance Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

CHANCE Defined for English Language Learners

chance

Definition of chance for English Language Learners

chance

Definition of chance for English Language Learners

CHANCE Defined for Kids

chance

Definition of chance for Students

chance

Definition of chance for Students

chance

Definition of chance for Students

Learn More about chance

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Trending: Franks Resigns Amid 'Surrogacy' Scandal

'Wreck' and 'Reckless': Accidents Happen

Intact Latin Quiz

It's a Living: Last Names That Started as Jobs

Words of the Year: 1066