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¹chance

noun \ˈchan(t)s\

: 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

Full Definition of CHANCE

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

b : the assumed impersonal purposeless determiner of unaccountable happenings : luck <an outcome decided by chance>

c : the fortuitous or incalculable element in existence : contingency

: a situation favoring some purpose : opportunity <needed a chance to relax>

: a fielding opportunity in baseball

a : the possibility of a particular outcome in an uncertain situation; also : the degree of likelihood of such an outcome <a small chance of success>

b plural : the more likely indications <chances are he's already gone>

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

Origin 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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CHANCE

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

Antonyms: sure thing

Rhymes with CHANCE

dance, glance, lance, prance, trance, trans

²chance

verb

: to accept the danger of (doing something)

chancedchanc·ing

Full Definition of CHANCE

intransitive verb

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>

: to come or light by chance <they chanced upon a remote inn>

transitive verb

: to leave the outcome of to chance

: 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

First Known Use of CHANCE

14th century

Related to CHANCE

Synonyms: adventure, risk, gamble (on), hazard, tempt, venture

CHANCES Defined for Kids

¹chance

noun \ˈchans\

Definition of CHANCE for Kids

: the happening of events that is not planned or controlled <They met by chance.>

: opportunity 1 <I had a chance to travel.>

: ¹risk 1, gamble <take chances>

: the possibility that something will happen <There's a slight chance of rain.>

: a ticket in a raffle <He bought five chances.>

²chance

verb

chancedchanc·ing

Definition of CHANCE for Kids

: 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>

: to find or meet unexpectedly <I chanced on a bargain.>

: to accept the danger of : risk <He couldn't chance another injury.>