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chance - definition and synonyms


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noun     chance pronunciation in British English
Word Forms
  1. 1
    [countable] [usually singular] an opportunity for you to do something, especially something that you want to do
    get/have a chance:

    We work together whenever we get a chance.

    the chance to do something:

    Participants are given the chance to learn another language.

    chance for:

    The meetings are very short, so there is little chance for real discussion.

    blow your chance informal (=have an opportunity but not use it well):

    They’ve blown their chance of getting the money back.

    given the chance (=if you had the opportunity):

    What would you say, given the chance to talk to her again?

    give/offer/provide a chance:

    The show provides a chance for the public to look at all the latest software.

    jump at/seize/grab a chance (=use an opportunity when it appears):

    Gina got up to leave and Sam, seizing his chance, followed her out.

    a second/another chance:

    These players deserve another chance.

    last chance:

    I warned her that this was her last chance.

    1. a.
      [countable] [usually plural] used for talking about the opportunities that someone has in life
  2. 2
    [countable/uncountable] the possibility that something will happen

    The chance of rain is less than 20%.

    a chance of (doing) something:

    For the first time in 15 years, they have a realistic chance of winning an election.

    chance (that):

    Is there any chance they will reverse their decision?

    a good/fair/slim chance:

    There is now only a slim chance that a recession can be avoided.

    not stand a chance (=be not at all likely to be able to do something):

    He doesn’t stand a chance of winning the tournament.

    a fighting chance (=a chance to succeed if you try very hard):

    We still have a fighting chance of beating them if we keep our minds on the game.

    a fifty-fifty chance/an even chance (=a situation in which the chances of something happening or not happening are equal):

    He had a fifty-fifty chance of surviving the operation.

  3. 3
    [uncountable] the way things happen without being planned or expected

    The results may simply be due to chance.

    by chance:

    It was simply by chance that Nicholson was cast in the film.

    pure/sheer chance:

    Pure chance had brought us together that day.

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