0 an occasion that allows something to be done:
I didn't get/have a chance to speak to her.
[ + to infinitive ] If you give me a chance to speak, I'll explain.
Society has to give prisoners a second chance when they come out of jail.
I'd go now given half a chance (= if I had the slightest opportunity).
1 the level of possibility that something will happen:
You'd have a better chance/more chance of passing your exams if you worked a bit harder.
[ + (that) ] There's a good chance (that) I'll have this essay finished by tomorrow.
There's a slim/slight chance (that) I might have to go to Manchester next week.
If we hurry, there's still an outside (= very small) chance of catching the plane.
"Is there any chance of speaking to him?" "Not a/No chance, I'm afraid."
UK John thinks they're in with a chance (= they have a possibility of doing or getting what they want).
Her resignation has improved my chances of promotion.
What are her chances of survival?
[ + that ] What are the chances that they'll win?
2 a possibility that something negative will happen:
3 the force that causes things to happen without any known cause or reason for doing so:
Roulette is a game of chance.
I got this job completely by chance.
[ + (that) ] It was pure/sheer chance (that) we met.
We must double-check everything and leave nothing to chance.
Are you Hungarian, by any chance?
You wouldn't, by any chance, have a calculator on you, would you?
4 to risk something:
5 to happen or do something by chance:
[ + to infinitive ] They chanced to be in the restaurant when I arrived.
I chanced on/upon (= found unexpectedly) some old love letters in a drawer.
Ten years after leaving school, we chanced on/upon (= unexpectedly met) each other in Regent Street.
6 happening in a way that is not planned or does not have any known cause or reason:
7 an occasion that allows something to be done; an opportunity:
8 a level of possibility that something will happen; likelihood:
I’ve applied to seven different universities, and there’s a good chance I’ll get into two of them.
9 a possibility that something bad will happen; a risk:
10 the happening of something in a way that no one could have known, so that it seems to have no cause:
11 to do something although it involves risk:
It’s a very popular restaurant, and we may not get a table, but let’s chance it.
12 to happen or find something in a way that is not planned or expected:
Don't tell anyone I'm leaving before I've had a chance to tell Anthony.
We are now offering you the chance to buy the complete set of pans at half price.
Everyone will have a chance to make their views known at the meeting.
She missed the chance of promotion when she turned down the job of assistant manager.
There's no chance of us getting there by eight.
There's still an outside chance that Scotland will get through into the World Cup.
She stands a good chance of passing her exam if she works hard.
中文繁体
機會, 機遇, 時機…
More中文简体
机会, 机遇, 时机…
MoreEspañol
posibilidad, oportunidad, casualidad…
MorePortuguês
chance, oportunidade, acaso…
More日本語
可能性, 機会、チャンス, 偶然…
MoreTürk dili
olasılık, şans, olanak…
MoreFrançais
occasion [feminine], chance [feminine], possibilité [feminine]…
MoreCatalan
possibilitat, oportunitat, casualitat…
More