op ‧ por ‧ tu ‧ ni ‧ ty S1 W1 /ˌɒpəˈtjuːnəti, ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪti $ ˌɑːpərˈtuː-/ BrE AmE noun ( plural opportunities )
1 . [uncountable and countable] a chance to do something or an occasion when it is easy for you to do something
opportunity to do something
a rare opportunity to see inside this historic building
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all.
opportunity for
Games and songs provide an opportunity for classroom interaction.
2 . [countable] a chance to get a job or improve your situation at work:
There are fewer opportunities for new graduates this year.
⇨ equal opportunities at ↑ equal 1 (2)
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ have opportunity
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel.
▪ take/use opportunity (=do something you have a chance to do)
Several employees took the opportunity to retire early.
▪ seize/grasp an opportunity (=do something very eagerly when you have the chance)
She saw an opportunity to speak to him, and seized it.
▪ miss/lose an opportunity (=not do something you have a chance to do)
Dwyer never missed an opportunity to criticize her.
▪ give somebody opportunity
The children should be given the opportunity to make their own choices.
▪ get an opportunity
I decided to go, as I might never get this opportunity again.
▪ provide/present/open up an opportunity
The course also provides an opportunity to study Japanese.
▪ an opportunity comes (along/up)
We had outgrown our house when the opportunity came up to buy one with more land.
▪ an opportunity arises
Perhaps she would explain later, if the opportunity arose.
■ adjectives
▪ a good/great/wonderful etc opportunity
It's a great opportunity to try new things.
▪ the ideal/perfect opportunity
I'd been wanting to try sailing, and this seemed like the ideal opportunity.
▪ a golden opportunity (=a very good opportunity)
The council has missed a golden opportunity to improve the town centre.
▪ a rare/unique opportunity
a unique opportunity to stay in a real castle
▪ a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (=a very good opportunity that you will only get once)
For many athletes, the Olympics are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
▪ a wasted/lost/missed opportunity (=one you do not use)
Many people see the failed talks as a missed opportunity for peace.
▪ ample opportunity/plenty of opportunity (=a number of chances to do something)
There will be ample opportunity for shopping.
▪ limited/little opportunity (=not many chances)
They had little opportunity to discuss the issue beforehand.
■ nouns
▪ a photo opportunity (=a chance to take a good photograph, especially of a particular person)
Parents will always look for good photo opportunities at their kid's graduation ceremony.
■ phrases
▪ at the first/earliest opportunity (=as soon as possible)
He decided to leave school at the earliest opportunity.
▪ at every (possible) opportunity (=whenever possible)
She went to the museum at every opportunity.
▪ a window of opportunity (=a time when you can do something)
The other team started making mistakes, but we didn't take advantage of this window of opportunity.
▪ a land of opportunity (=a country where people have a lot of good opportunities)
America was then seen as a land of opportunity.
▪ the opportunity of a lifetime (=a very good opportunity that you will only get once)
The winner of the contest got the opportunity of a lifetime – the chance to work with a top fashion designer.