Simple Definition of chance

from our Learner's Dictionary

chance

1 of 3

noun

ˈtʃæns

British ˈtʃɑːns

plural chances

: an opportunity to do something : an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done

I wanted to call you, but I never got/had the chance (to).

I go to the beach every chance I get. [=I go whenever I can]

This is the chance of a lifetime!

You missed your chance.

Everyone deserves a fair chance of winning the award.

If you give me a chance, I know I can do a good job.

He doesn't give second chances. [=opportunities to try something again after failing one time]

If given half a chance [=if given some opportunity], she could show everyone how talented she is.

—often followed by to + verb

Here's your chance to try something new.

Give me a chance to explain.

You have to give the wound a chance to heal. [=you have to allow time for the wound to heal]

We didn't have much chance to talk about it.

Note: To jump/leap/grab at the chance to do something is to have an opportunity to do something and to say in an excited way that you will do it or to do it in a very eager way.

Note: If you have a fighting chance to do something, you may be able to do it by making a great effort.

: the possibility that something will happen

There's a good chance that we'll finish on time.

There's still a slim chance [=a small possibility] that we can win.

There's an outside chance [=a small possibility] that something could go wrong.

Chances are [=it is very likely that] she has already heard the news.

—often + of

It increases/reduces the chance of getting the disease.

There's a 50 percent chance of rain this afternoon.

(Brit, informal) The challenger may not have much experience, but I still think he's in with a chance of winning. [=he has a possibility of winning]

—often plural

What are the chances [=how likely is it] that we'll have nice weather today?

I think her chances of winning the election are good.

"How do you think the team will do this year?" "I like their chances." [=I think they have a good chance of succeeding/winning]

If you are free tonight, is there any chance you could join me for dinner?

—often + of

If you want to have any chance of getting the job, you'll have to dress nicely.

The prisoners had little/no chance of escape/escaping.

Note: The phrase by any chance is used when asking questions in a polite way.

Note: The informal phrases fat chance and not a chance are used as a forceful way of saying that there is no possibility that something will happen.

: the way that events happen when they are not planned or controlled by people : luck

There is an element of chance [=luck] to winning a card game.

Which cards you're given is simply a matter of chance.

We planned for everything and left nothing to chance. [=we prepared for everything possible]

That's not the kind of thing you want to leave to chance. [=that's not the kind of thing you don't want to plan or prepare for]

Note: If something happens by chance, people have not planned it or tried to make it happen.

Note: The phrase as chance would have it is used to say that something happened because of good or bad luck.

Note: A game of chance is a game (such as a dice game) in which luck rather than skill decides who wins.

chance

2 of 3

verb

chances; chanced; chancing

: to accept the danger of (doing something) : risk

We knew that the trip was dangerous, but we decided to chance it. [=we decided to go on the trip]

He couldn't chance playing with a broken toe.

formal

—used to describe something that happens because of luck or chance

—followed by to + verb

It chanced [=(more commonly) happened] to rain that day.

We chanced to arrive at the same time.

a conversation that chanced to take place outside my apartment

chance

3 of 3

adjective

always used before a noun

: happening without being planned or controlled by people : happening by chance

It was a chance encounter/meeting between the two men.

a chance event/occurrence/discovery

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“Chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/chance. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Simple Definition of chance

chance

noun

verb

adjective

Cite this Entry

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