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opportunity
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/ˌɒpə(r)ˈtjuːnəti/ 
| singular | opportunity |
| plural | opportunities |
- 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 programme 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 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.
Collocations: opportunity
▪ ample, excellent, exciting, golden, great, heaven-sent, historic, ideal, lost, missed, once-in-a-lifetime, perfect, rare, tremendous, unique, unprecedented▪ exploit, give, grasp, miss, offer, pass up, provide, seize, squander, take, waste
phrase
- 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 got my job by the back door.
- We operate an open door policy.
- Opportunity came knocking.
- The band had been knocking at the door for some time before their first hit record.
- 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 British English definition of opportunity. View American English definition of opportunity.
Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.
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