/ tʃɑːns; NAmE tʃæns/ noun , verb , adjective
■ noun
1.
[ C , U ] chance of doing sth | chance that ... | chance of sth happening | chance of sth a possibility of sth happening, especially sth that you want :
Is there any chance of getting tickets for tonight?
She has only a slim chance of passing the exam.
There's a slight chance that he'll be back in time.
There is no chance that he will change his mind.
What chance is there of anybody being found alive?
Nowadays a premature baby has a very good chance of survival.
The operation has a fifty-fifty chance of success.
The chances are a million to one against being struck by lightning.
an outside chance (= a very small one)
2.
[ C ] chance (of sth) | chance (to do sth) | chance (for sb to do sth) a suitable time or situation when you have the opportunity to do sth :
We won't get another chance of a holiday this year.
Please give me a chance to explain.
It was the chance she had been waiting for.
There will be a chance for parents to look around the school.
Jeff deceived me once already—I won't give him a second chance .
This is your big chance (= opportunity for success) .
Tonight is your last chance to catch the play at your local theatre.
3.
[ C ] an unpleasant or dangerous possibility :
When installing electrical equipment don't take any chances . A mistake could kill.
4.
[ U ] the way that some things happen without any cause that you can see or understand :
I met her by chance (= without planning to) at the airport.
Chess is not a game of chance .
It was pure chance that we were both there.
We'll plan everything very carefully and leave nothing to chance .
➡ note at luck
•
IDIOMS
- as chance would have it
- be in with a chance (of doing sth)
- by any chance
- the chances are (that) ...
- chance would be a fine thing
- give sb/sth half a chance
- no chance
- on the off chance (that)
- stand a chance (of doing sth)
- take a chance (on sth)
- take your chances
—more at cat , dog noun , even adjective , eye noun , fat adjective , fight verb , snowball noun , sporting
■ verb
1.
( informal ) to risk sth, although you know the result may not be successful :
[ vn ]
She was chancing her luck driving without a licence.
'Take an umbrella.' 'No, I'll chance it ' (= take the risk that it may rain) .
[ v -ing ]
I stayed hidden; I couldn't chance coming out.
2.
( formal ) to happen or to do sth by chance :
[ v to inf ]
If I do chance to find out where she is, I'll inform you immediately.
They chanced to be staying at the same hotel.
[ v ( that )]
It chanced (that) they were staying at the same hotel.
•
IDIOMS
- chance your arm
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- chance on / upon sb/sth
■ adjective
[ only before noun ] not planned
SYN unplanned :
a chance meeting / encounter
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French cheance , from cheoir fall, befall, based on Latin cadere .