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opportunity

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noun

American English pronunciation: opportunity

/ˌɑpərˈtunəti/

singular	opportunity
plural	opportunities

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

Metaphor

1
[countable/uncountable] a chance to do something, or a situation in which it is easy for you to do something
I think this trip sounds like a wonderful opportunity.
opportunity for:
The job pays well, but there's not much opportunity for career advancement.
give someone the opportunity to do something:
The program gives students the opportunity to learn more about global warming.
take the opportunity to do something:
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for coming.
a missed/lost opportunity (=a chance that you did not use):
A series of missed opportunities have badly weakened the company.
at every opportunity (=whenever it is possible):
She went to visit him in the hospital at every opportunity.
given the opportunity (=if he/she had the opportunity):
He's someone who could have been really successful, given the opportunity.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of opportunity
Collocations: opportunity
Collocations
opportunity1
▪ ample, excellent, exciting, golden, great, heaven-sent, historic, ideal, lost, missed, once-in-a-lifetime, perfect, rare, tremendous, unique, unprecedented
opportunity1
▪ exploit, give, grasp, miss, offer, pass up, provide, seize, squander, take, waste
2
[countable] a job that is available
There are good opportunities in the hotel business.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of opportunity

phrase

at the earliest/first opportunity
as soon as possible
You will be informed of any changes at the earliest opportunity.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of opportunity

Metaphor: opportunity

Metaphor

Having an opportunity to do something is like having a door or way of getting into a building.

This opened the door to a new way of life.
He was on the threshold of an exciting new career.
Having a degree unlocked many opportunities.
What would you say is the key to success?
The company has several openings for trainees.
Not everyone had access to higher education.
I felt that I had gotten my job by the back door.
We operate an open-door policy.
Opportunity came knocking.
She felt that all doors were barred/bolted/closed against her.
Age is no barrier to success.
I've got a window on Friday afternoon: I could see you then.

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

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View the pronunciation for opportunity.

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