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opportunity

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noun

British English pronunciation: opportunity

/ˌɒpə(r)ˈtjuːnəti/

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 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.
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 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.

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View the pronunciation for opportunity.

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