Search results for 'chance':

chance noun 1 the way that things happen unplanned and unforeseen. 2 fate or luck; fortune. 3 an unforeseen and unexpected occurrence. 4 a possibility or probability. 5 a possible or probable success. 6 an opportunity • your big chance. 7 risk; a gamble • take a chance. verb (chanced, chancing) 1 to risk something. 2 intrans to do or happen by chance • I chanced to meet her. chanceful adj. be in with a chance to have some hope of success. chance it or chance one's luck or chance one's arm to take a risk, although the likelihood of success is slim. chance would be a fine thing! colloq some hope! the chances are ... it is likely that ... • I'll buy a ticket but the chances are I'll be busy that night. an eye to the main chance a tendency to act from motives of personal advantage rather than consideration for others. no chance or not a chance no likelihood of success. on the off chance in hope rather than expectation. an outside chance a very faint possibility. stand a good chance to have a reasonable expectation of success. take a chance on something to act in the hope of it being the case. take one's chance or chances to risk an undertaking; to accept whatever happens.
ETYMOLOGY: 13c: from French cheance, from Latin cadentia falling.