chance*/*/*/

[tʃɑːns] noun I

1) [C] an opportunity to do something, especially something that you want to do

Syn:

opportunity

Students are given the chance to learn another language.[/ex]

We work together whenever we get a chance.[/ex]

I warned her that this was her last chance.[/ex]

2) [C/U] the possibility that something will happen

I think she has a good chance of getting the job.[/ex]

Is there any chance they will reverse their decision?[/ex]

He doesn't stand a chance of winning the tournament (= it is not at all likely that he will win).[/ex]

3) [U] the way that things happen without being planned or expected

Syn:

luck

The results may simply be due to chance.[/ex]

It was simply by chance that Nicholson was cast in the film.[/ex]

•

by any chance — spoken used when you are asking questions to find out whether something is true[/ex]

Do you remember his name, by any chance?[/ex]

sb's chances — how likely someone is to achieve something[/ex]

sb's chances of (doing) sth What are their chances of survival?[/ex]

(the) chances are — spoken used for saying that something is likely to happen but is not certain[/ex]

take a chance (on); take chances — to do something even though it involves risk[/ex]

II

verb [T]

chance [tʃɑːns]

to do something even though you know it involves a risk

It looked like rain so I decided not to chance it and brought my umbrella.[/ex]

III

adj

chance [tʃɑːns]

not planned or expected

a chance meeting/discovery[/ex]