chance

Definition

An opportunity or possibility.

Etymology

From Middle English chance, cheance, chaunce, cheaunce, a borrowing from Old French cheance (“accident, chance, luck”), from Vulgar Latin *cadentia (“falling”), from Latin cadere (“to fall, to die, to happen, occur”). Doublet of cadence and cadenza.

Example Sentences

• "We had the chance to meet the president last week: we have a good/strong chance of making / to make a profit."
• "There was a fat/slim chance that my letter would arrive in time."
• "If you get the chance, try and catch the new production of "Hamlet.""