English Reference
noun · verb · adjective

chance

n. · v. · adj.
US /ˈtʃæns/ UK /tʃˈɑːns/ chance UK spelling chanced, chances

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    n.a good time or situation to do something you want to do.

    n.a favourable set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.

    Simple

    She finally got a chance to visit Paris last summer.

    In context

    The internship provides a rare chance for students to work alongside senior researchers on high-impact clinical trials.

  2. 02 A2 Elementary

    n.the level of possibility that something will happen.

    n.the likelihood or statistical probability of a particular event occurring.

    Simple

    There is a good chance of rain this afternoon, so take an umbrella.

    In context

    Economists believe there is a significant chance that interest rates will remain stable throughout the next fiscal quarter.

    Usage

    Often used in the plural ('chances') when discussing general likelihood.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    n.the way things happen without being planned or caused by anyone.

    n.the force that causes things to happen in a way that is not planned or controlled; randomness.

    Simple

    I met my old teacher by chance while I was shopping at the mall.

    In context

    The discovery was made entirely by chance when a laboratory technician accidentally left the samples exposed to sunlight overnight.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to try something even though you might fail or something bad might happen.

    v.to take a risk or attempt something despite the possibility of an unfavourable outcome.

    Simple

    The weather looked bad, but we decided to chance it and go for a walk.

    In context

    Although the mountain pass was narrow and icy, the driver decided to chance it rather than wait for the salt trucks to arrive.

    Usage

    Often used with 'it' as a dummy object: 'to chance it'.

  5. 05 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.happening by accident rather than being planned.

    adj.occurring by accident or without design; incidental.

    Simple

    A chance meeting at a conference led to a new job offer.

    In context

    The project's success was partly due to a chance remark made during a coffee break that sparked a completely new design approach.

Usage chance to see · chances of survival · chance of getting

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Very common
Updated