ENGLISH
REFERENCE

chances

n. C / U
B1 Intermediate US //ˈtʃænsəz// UK //tʃˈɑːnsɪz// chances

n. the possibility or likelihood that something will happen. You often use this to talk about how likely you are to succeed at something.

n. the likelihood or probability of a particular event occurring. Often used in the plural to discuss the odds of success or failure in a specific context.


SIMPLE

The chances of rain today are very low.

CONTEXTUAL

The team's chances of winning the championship improved significantly after they signed the new striker.

COMPLEX

While the mathematical chances of a total system failure remain slim, the engineering team must account for every possible variable to ensure public safety.

Synonyms
Usage

Often used in the plural ('chances') when discussing probability; frequently followed by 'of' or a 'that' clause.

Pitfall

There is a big chance thatThere is a good chance thatIn English, we usually describe a high probability as a 'good' or 'strong' chance rather than a 'big' one.

Idioms2 entries

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