chance
noun
\ ˈchan(t)s
\
\
Definition of chance
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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
4a
: 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
5a
: risk
not taking any chances
b
: a raffle ticket
by chance
: in the haphazard course of events
they met by chance
chance
verb
chanced;
chancing
Definition of chance (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: 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
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
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Synonyms for chance
Synonyms: Noun
accident, casualty [archaic], circumstance, hap, hazard, luck
Synonyms: Verb
adventure, gamble (on), hazard, risk, tempt, venture
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Examples of chance in a Sentence
Noun
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.Verb
He couldn't chance playing with a broken toe. I don't think we should chance driving in this snowstorm.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Tag 3 friends to get lost with in our #ThanksGronk cornmaze for a chance to win 4 passes to visit our Fall Festival this season! — Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "A Whitinsville corn maze will honor Gronk this month," 3 Sep. 2019 Agajanian gets another chance when the Colts are penalized for having a player leave the field on the wrong side. — Mike Klingaman, baltimoresun.com, "This Week in Baltimore Sports History: Ravens lose the first game played at their new stadium to Steelers," 1 Sep. 2019 Had Stockfish been programmed to try to draw, instead of playing moves that were meant to give it the greatest chance to win, the draw rate would have been even higher. — Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, "Magnus Carlsen Was Defeated, But the Draw Remains Dominant in Chess," 30 Aug. 2019 The first 25 people who attend will receive free tasters from Duck Foot Brewing, and all attendees will be eligible for the chance to win baskets filled with pet items. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Charity aims to help children, pets affected by domestic violence," 30 Aug. 2019 Visitors can sample local wines, craft beer and cider, shop at artisan and merchant booths and have the chance to win prizes and participate in a silent auction. — Julie Gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Vines & Wines: Rainy weather holds promise for robust harvest," 30 Aug. 2019 Meant to be a successor to the Hubble, the chance for an unprecedented space observatory is now closer to reality. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "In a Major Milestone, the James Webb Space Telescope Is Whole at Last," 29 Aug. 2019 Variety also notes that since the series was produced by Netflix the chances of another network picking up the show are slim. — Wired, "The Final Trailer for Joker Is Beyond Bleak," 29 Aug. 2019 The Cardinals haven't been given a huge chance to win the game, opening as a 19.5 point underdog, but Louisville does have one strong advantage over its opponent: the element of surprise. — Robert Rimpson, The Courier-Journal, "The element of surprise may be Louisville football's greatest weapon against Notre Dame," 28 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
In Florida, many are leaving nothing to chance, stocking up at gas stations and grocery stores. — CBS News, "Dorian expected to be "extremely dangerous" as it heads for U.S. — live updates," 31 Aug. 2019 How the pick happened: Konstantinov’s fierceness caught Smith’s eye, and the Wings opted to chance drafting a second Soviet. — Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, "How Detroit Red Wings hit the mother lode at NHL draft 30 years ago," 17 June 2019 For the most part, colleges do not leave the formation of teams to chance. — The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "Bribery scandal points to the athletic factor: A major force in college admissions," 13 June 2019 The former University of Oregon star didn’t leave much to chance, going to the front from the start and keeping the pace honest. — oregonlive.com, "Ryan Crouser rises to the moment, wins the shot at the USATF Outdoor Championships," 26 July 2019 The Art of Imperfection’ is my commentary on the detriment of our hyper-perfectionist society and, in turn, how some of the most beautiful moments come from vulnerability, flaw, and leaving things to chance. — Sara Radin, Teen Vogue, "Recent SCAD Grads and Fashion Designers Brandon Skipper, Linden Grace Colby, Haley Emerson, and Darren Apolonio Discuss The Current State of Fashion," 3 July 2019 So instead of leaving things to chance, King decided to tag along on a road trip with two software engineers, a college professor and a lawyer, who all ditched their airlines, rented a car, and decided to make the nearly 10-hour drive back to Maine. — Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, "'You got to be spontaneous': Sen. Angus King takes road trip with four strangers," 21 June 2019 Rodriguez wasn't leaving anything to chance, though. — Abby Gardner, Glamour, "Alex Rodriguez Spent Three Days Rehearsing His Proposal to Jennifer Lopez," 17 Apr. 2019 An Outer Party member could reach the Inner Party by chancing into an early job at a lottery-ticket company (such as a Facebook or Google) or by becoming a successful entrepreneur. — Antonio GarcÃa MartÃnez, WIRED, "How Silicon Valley Fuels an Informal Caste System," 9 July 2018These 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.
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