1
a
: something that happens unpredictably without discernible human intention or observable cause
Which cards you are dealt is simply a matter of chance.
b
: the assumed impersonal purposeless determiner of unaccountable happenings : luck
an outcome decided by chance
c
: the fortuitous or incalculable element in existence : contingency
… you surely have endured strange chances …—
Alfred Tennyson
Alfred Tennyson2
: a situation favoring some purpose : opportunity
needed a chance to relax
3
: a fielding opportunity in baseball
4
a
: the possibility of a particular outcome in an uncertain situation
What chance has he of pulling through?
also
: the degree of likelihood of such an outcome
a small chance of success
b
chances plural
: the more likely indications
chances are he's already gone
5
a
: risk
not taking any chances
b
: a raffle ticket
chance
adjective
chanced; chancing
1
a
: to take place, come about, or turn out by chance : happen
it chanced to rain that day
b
: to have the good or bad luck
we chanced to meet
2
: to come or light by chance
they chanced upon a remote inn
1
: to leave the outcome of to chance
2
: to accept the hazard of : risk
knew the trip was dangerous but decided to chance it
Synonyms
Examples of chance in a Sentence
Noun
This is the chance of a lifetime!
Everyone deserves a fair chance of winning the award.
If you give me a chance, I know I can do a good job.
We didn't have much chance to talk about it.
There's a good chance that we'll finish on time.
If you are free tonight, is there any chance you could join me for dinner?
Which cards you're given is simply a matter of chance.
Verb
He couldn't chance playing with a broken toe.
I don't think we should chance driving in this snowstorm.
Recent Examples on the WebJason Lipshutz, Billboard, 19 Apr. 2024
Finally, on an evening when her mother was home, Ross had her chance to find out.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
But the director also relished the chance to work in Monument Valley again.
—The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
Far fewer get the chance to confront the alleged killer.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024
The Free Press is not disclosing details of the videotape captured by the patient until the doctor and his attorney have had a chance to view it and respond.
—Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 19 Apr. 2024
There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 a.m.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 18 Apr. 2024
Many economists thought there was a chance the rapid rate hikes could cause a recession, but jobs have remained plentiful and the economy forged on thanks to strong consumer spending.
—Matt Ott, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024
Shareholders will get a chance to give their blessing at a vote in June, when they will be asked to ratify Musk’s $50 billion pay package and approve the company’s move to Texas.
—Morgan Meaker, WIRED, 18 Apr. 2024
Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024
If you have been charged with DUI in Arizona, then why leave your legal defense to chance?
—David Stubblefield, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024
On Tuesday, August 24, 1858, readers of the New York Times chanced on an unusual classified ad.
—Robert Klara, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024
In social media, like in horse racing, Yass doesn’t leave his bets to chance.
—Maxwell Zeff / Gizmodo, Quartz, 26 Mar. 2024
Before the main event each day, a Pit Party will take place, giving fans that chance to see the trucks up close, take photos, meet drivers and crews and get autographs.
—The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2024
Yet much of this has more to do with a person’s genetics, cultural influences, past experience or sometimes even chance events more than gender.
—Vinesh Sukumaran, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
Alpha Mail In the mid-1970s, FedEx was deep in debt, so founder Fred Smith chanced the company’s last $5,000 in a Vegas blackjack game.
—Chris Carra, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024
Chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F to be safe to eat, so don't chance it.
—Tamara Gane, Southern Living, 12 Feb. 2024
Noun
One of the constants of Taylor Swift’s storied career has been the chances she’s taken at the precise moment when taking a chance wasn’t necessary.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 19 Apr. 2024
Finally, on an evening when her mother was home, Ross had her chance to find out.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
But the director also relished the chance to work in Monument Valley again.
—The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
Far fewer get the chance to confront the alleged killer.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024
The Free Press is not disclosing details of the videotape captured by the patient until the doctor and his attorney have had a chance to view it and respond.
—Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 19 Apr. 2024
There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 a.m.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 18 Apr. 2024
Many economists thought there was a chance the rapid rate hikes could cause a recession, but jobs have remained plentiful and the economy forged on thanks to strong consumer spending.
—Matt Ott, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024
Shareholders will get a chance to give their blessing at a vote in June, when they will be asked to ratify Musk’s $50 billion pay package and approve the company’s move to Texas.
—Morgan Meaker, WIRED, 18 Apr. 2024
Verb
Hooters offers customers chance to win free wings for life
Hooters is inviting customers to participate in the Hooters Baller Bracket Challenge this year during March Madness, the company said in a news release.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024
If you have been charged with DUI in Arizona, then why leave your legal defense to chance?
—David Stubblefield, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024
On Tuesday, August 24, 1858, readers of the New York Times chanced on an unusual classified ad.
—Robert Klara, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024
In social media, like in horse racing, Yass doesn’t leave his bets to chance.
—Maxwell Zeff / Gizmodo, Quartz, 26 Mar. 2024
Before the main event each day, a Pit Party will take place, giving fans that chance to see the trucks up close, take photos, meet drivers and crews and get autographs.
—The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2024
Yet much of this has more to do with a person’s genetics, cultural influences, past experience or sometimes even chance events more than gender.
—Vinesh Sukumaran, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
Alpha Mail In the mid-1970s, FedEx was deep in debt, so founder Fred Smith chanced the company’s last $5,000 in a Vegas blackjack game.
—Chris Carra, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024
Chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F to be safe to eat, so don't chance it.
—Tamara Gane, Southern Living, 12 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chance. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chance
1 of 3 noun1
: the uncertain course of events
they met by chance
2
: opportunity sense 1
had a chance to travel
3
: the possibility of loss or injury
took chances driving too fast
4
: the possibility or probability of something happening
there is a chance of rain
5
: a ticket in a raffle
chance
2 of 3 verb
chanced; chancing
1
: to take place by chance : happen
it chanced to rain that day
2
: to come unexpectedly
—used with upon
chanced upon a good restaurant
3
: risk entry 2 sense 2
knew the trip was dangerous but decided to chance it
chance
3 of 3 adjective
: happening by chance
a chance meeting
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