opportunity

noun

op·​por·​tu·​ni·​ty ˌä-pər-ˈtü-nə-tē 

-ˈtyü-

plural opportunities

1

: a favorable juncture of circumstances

the halt provided an opportunity for rest and refreshment

Studying abroad provides a great opportunity to learn a foreign language.

There were many missed opportunities (to score) throughout the game.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone.

The dog ran away at every opportunity. [= whenever it was able to]

at the first/earliest opportunity [= as soon as we are able to]

This is a golden opportunity to buy. [= an excellent chance to buy]

2

: a good chance for advancement or progress

the land of opportunity

Be ready when opportunity knocks. [= when the chance to do something occurs]

There are fewer job opportunities this year for graduates.

Synonyms of opportunity

• chance
• room

Examples of opportunity in a Sentence

A phony war because its stated objective—eradicating terrorism—is impossible and serves to mask unstated, alarmingly open-ended goals, a kind of fishing expedition that provides an opportunity for America to display its intimidating arsenal … —John Edgar Wideman, Harper's, March 2002

Nowadays my only opportunity for an old-fashioned, self-indulgent sulk comes when I'm traveling. —Ian Frazier, Atlantic, March 2001

I'm handing you an opportunity in the heart of the city where the whole world's heading: journalists, corporate leeches, Japanese tourists, Greco-Roman wrestlers. —Gary Smith, Illustrated, 11 Sept. 2000

More than 90 percent of female senior managers believe that men's and women's opportunities remain unequal … —Katha Pollitt, Atlantic, November 1997

You'll have an opportunity to ask questions after the presentation.

When the opportunity came for her to prove that she could do the job, she was ready.

I had the rare opportunity of speaking to the president.

Studying abroad provides a great opportunity to learn a foreign language.

There are fewer job opportunities this year for graduates.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped me with this book.

He was given every opportunity to prove that he was trustworthy.

There is plenty of opportunity for advancement within the company.

Recent Examples on the Web

But that had more to do with the score, an opportunity to get Dalton Rushing more at-bats, and getting Ohtani ready for his start on the mound Wednesday. —Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026

After seeing his team squander chance after chance, Etowah’s Matthew Sharman wasn’t going to waste any opportunity to score. —Stan Awtrey, AJC.com, 28 May 2026

Anunoby, despite being robbed of an opportunity that some players 15 years his senior never got to experience, remembers that time fondly. —James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 28 May 2026

Fueled by a successful investment, the government is looking for opportunities. —Matthew Lynn, Washington Post, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English oportunyte, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French oportunité, borrowed from Latin opportūnitāt-, opportūnitās, from opportūnus "convenient, opportune" + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing opportunity

• at someone's earliest opportunity
• at the first opportunity
• equal opportunity
• equal opportunity employer
• land of opportunity
• opportunity cost
• photo opportunity
• seized on the opportunity
• window of opportunity

Rhymes for opportunity

• autoimmunity
• importunity
• community
• disunity
• immunity
• impunity
• munity
• unity

Kids Definition

opportunity

noun

op·​por·​tu·​ni·​ty ˌäp-ər-ˈt(y)ü-nət-ē 

plural opportunities

1

: a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place

2

: a chance to better oneself