# opportunity

/ˌɑpɝˈtunəti/ (US) · /ɒpətjˈuːnɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/opportunity
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a chance to do something

noun · CEFR A2

a situation that makes it possible for you to do something you want to do.

For teachers: a favourable juncture of circumstances that provides a possibility for action or progress.

- The internship is a great opportunity to learn how a real office works.
- The sudden vacancy in the marketing department presented a unique opportunity for the junior analyst to demonstrate her leadership potential.

Usage: Commonly followed by the 'to' infinitive or the preposition 'for'.

### 2. advancement or profit

noun · CEFR B1

a chance to improve your life, get a better job, or make money.

For teachers: a set of circumstances conducive to professional advancement, social progress, or financial gain.

- Many people move to big cities looking for better job opportunities.
- The trade agreement opened up significant commercial opportunities for small businesses looking to export their goods to European markets.

### 3. good timing

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the quality of happening at exactly the right time.

For teachers: the quality of being opportune or well-timed; the state of being appropriate to the circumstances.

- The opportunity of his arrival saved us from a very awkward conversation.
- The sheer opportunity of the rainstorm allowed the soldiers to retreat under the cover of limited visibility.

Teaching tip: This sense is less common in modern speech; learners will usually encounter it in formal writing or literature.

## Examples

- This job is a great opportunity for my career.
- The internship provides a unique opportunity for students to gain practical experience in a professional kitchen.
- While the economic downturn presented significant challenges, it also created an opportunity for agile startups to capture market share from slower, established competitors.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.