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
2
: a good chance for advancement or progress
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.
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
And on Wednesday, the Mets and Rangers provided opportunities to see their respective offerings in a span of about six hours.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
The contest, which dates back to 1960, offers golf pros the opportunity to participate in a lighthearted session shortly before the real competition tees off.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Appearing on The Tonight Show, Isaacs was asked the reaction to his character’s accent and took the opportunity to make light of his full frontal moment.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Vinh said the reason behind the move was a pursuit of education, opportunity and giving back.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opportunity
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Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
The contest, which dates back to 1960, offers golf pros the opportunity to participate in a lighthearted session shortly before the real competition tees off.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Appearing on The Tonight Show, Isaacs was asked the reaction to his character’s accent and took the opportunity to make light of his full frontal moment.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Vinh said the reason behind the move was a pursuit of education, opportunity and giving back.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opportunity
Cite this Entry
“Opportunity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opportunity. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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