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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Here’s a chance to live like the Duttons do—sans family drama. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2022 And there’s a chance of showers and thunderstorms on Monday night and Tuesday, when a high of 82 is expected. Scott D. Pierce, The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 On a recent summer day, Lewis had earned the chance to pull 10 slips — 10 chances to win prizes, including a tablet computer. Carla K. Johnson, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2022 In other words, there’s a good chance that Ana and Alyssa will alternate days at the table. Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, 7 Sep. 2022 Finally, there’s a slim chance the base iPhone 14 Pro storage will start at 256GB instead of 128GB. Chris Smith, BGR, 7 Sep. 2022 Now’s your chance to hit the virtual shelves one last time and snag tons of gems across fashion, beauty, and home for way below sticker price. Talia Abbas, Glamour, 6 Sep. 2022 There’s still a chance Zach Wilson will open the season for the New York Jets under center instead of on the sideline. Dennis Waszak Jr., BostonGlobe.com, 5 Sep. 2022 Moments before Hall’s rocky outing, Anthony Santander gave the Orioles (71-63) a chance with his second home run of the afternoon — launching one from each side of the plate for his team-leading 26th and 27th homers. Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 5 Sep. 2022
Verb
Currently there are no limits to the number of cabins being offered per sailing, but that could chance depending on the popularity of the promotion, according to the cruise line. Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 That is the standard Ohio State will chance from now until January. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 29 Aug. 2022 But countries living in Russia’s shadow remain unwilling to leave their fortunes to chance. Anthony Faiola, Washington Post, 3 July 2022 Gargano didn’t leave any part of her success to chance. Jodie Cook, Forbes, 23 May 2022 Following a pair of walk-off wins this weekend, the Reds left nothing to chance in their 10-5 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday at Great American Ball Park. Bobby Nightengale, The Enquirer, 11 July 2022 The Ravens, and 31 other NFL teams, were unwilling to chance putting him in uniform for the 2017 season. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 9 June 2022 The difference was attributed to the change in our order and not to chance. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 9 June 2022 After missing out on his team’s other big bowl appearances, Osborn, like many Utah fans, left nothing to chance this time around. Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Dec. 2021 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English chaunce, chance "occurrence (especially unforeseen or providential), stroke of good or bad luck, luck, fall of the dice," borrowed from Anglo-French cheaunce, chaunce, chance, going back to Vulgar Latin *cadentia, noun derivative (formally feminine singular from neuter plural) of Latin cadent-, cadens, present participle of cadere "to fall, be cast (of dice, lots), turn out, come to pass," perhaps going back to an Indo-European verbal base *ḱad- or *ḱHd- "fall," whence also Sanskrit śaśāda "(s/he) fell off/out," śatsyati "(s/he) will fall off/out"
Verb
Middle English chancen, chaunsen, verbal derivative of chance, chauncechance entry 1