chance
[tΚΚ°ans]
The word revolves around the absence of certainty and control. It captures the tension between random occurrence (luck) and a window of possibility (opportunity). When used as a noun for probability, it feels neutral or slightly clinical, often linked to predictions. When referring to an opportunity, it carries a more hopeful or urgent toneβsomething that can be "seized" or "missed." As a verb, the word shifts from passive observation to active risk. To "chance" something is to consciously step into uncertainty, creating a feeling of gamble or bravery, whereas "chancing upon" something feels like a pleasant, unplanned discovery.
Countable when referring to a specific opportunity ('I finally got a chance to travel'). Uncountable when discussing the abstract concept of luck or probability ('Life is governed by chance').
π¬Casual Conversation
Hey, any chance you could whip up a quick draft for the Q4 brief today?
Zero chance, David. Drowning in Q3 revisions. My plate is full.
Meanings
A possibility of something happening.
"There is a slight chance of rain this afternoon."
A particular time or opportunity that allows something to happen.
"I didn't have the chance to say goodbye before she left."
To risk something on a particular outcome.
"He decided to chance his entire savings on the new venture."
Collocations & Compounds
a chance encounter
meeting someone by accident
I had a chance encounter with my old teacher at the supermarket.
a slim chance
a small possibility
There's only a slim chance of the company recovering from this crisis.
a fighting chance
a reasonable opportunity to succeed
With this new medication, he has a fighting chance of survival.
a missed chance
an opportunity that was not taken
She regretted a missed chance to study abroad.
a golden chance
an excellent opportunity
This job offer is a golden chance for him to prove his abilities.
Phrasal Verbs
take a chance
to do something risky or uncertain
You have to take a chance if you want to win.
give a chance
to provide an opportunity
Please give me a chance to explain myself.
leave to chance
to not plan or control something, hoping for a good outcome
We can't just leave the success of the project to chance.
pass up a chance
to refuse an opportunity
He decided to pass up a chance to work in London.
stand a chance
to have a possibility of succeeding
If we work hard, we stand a chance of finishing on time.
Idioms & Sayings
by chance
happening or done accidentally or unexpectedly
I met her by chance at the airport.
a cat has nine lives, and a man has only one life but many chances
humans have limited opportunities compared to the resilience of cats, emphasizing the value of each chance.
Remember, a cat has nine lives, and a man has only one life but many chances; don't waste this one.
a chance in a million
a very small possibility
There was only a chance in a million that he would survive the fall.
for a chance
in order to have an opportunity
He entered the lottery just for a chance to win.
leave nothing to chance
to plan everything carefully to avoid any risk
The expedition team decided to leave nothing to chance and prepared for every possible scenario.
Etymology
The word 'chance' entered Middle English around the 13th century, ultimately deriving from the Latin word 'cadentia', meaning 'a falling'. This Latin term was used in the context of dice games, referring to the way dice fall. From this, it evolved to mean 'a falling out', 'an occurrence', or 'an event', and later, 'a possibility', 'an opportunity', or 'luck'. The sense of 'risk' or 'danger' also developed from this idea of unpredictable events.