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chance

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noun American English pronunciation: chance /tʃæns/ 
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singularchance
pluralchances
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    [countable] [usually singular] an opportunity for you to do something, especially something that you want to do
    chance for:

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

    the chance to do something:

    Participants are given the chance to learn another language.

    give/offer/provide a chance:

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

    get/have a chance:

    We work together whenever we get a chance.

    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.

    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?

    a second/another chance:

    These players deserve another chance.

    last chance:

    I warned her that this was her last chance.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of chance
  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.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of chance
  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 movie.

    pure/sheer chance:

    Pure chance had brought us together that day.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of chance

phrases

See also

This is the American English definition of chance. View British English definition of chance.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

View the pronunciation for chance.

 

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