Chances

/ˈtʃɑːnsɪz/

nounBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

1

The possibility of something happening; a favorable opportunity.

/ˈtʃɑːnsɪz/

nounneutralBeginner
General

Probability or possibility of something happening

The chances of winning the lottery are slim.

💡 Simply: Chances are like possibilities. If you have a high chance of winning, it's very likely you'll win! Like, if you have a high chance of getting a candy, you'll probably get one.

👶 For kids: How likely something is to happen.

More Examples

2

She took a chance and applied for the job.

How It's Used

General

"What are the chances of rain today?"

Gambling

"He took a chance on the lottery."

Idioms & expressions

take a chance

To take a risk.

"I decided to take a chance and ask her out."

From Middle English *chaunce, from Old French *chance, from Vulgar Latin *cadentia, from Latin cadere "to fall"

The word 'chance' has been used to describe opportunity and probability since the Middle Ages.

Memory tip

Think of 'chance' as a 'falling' opportunity – something that might happen.

Base: chance
chancesechancheschancez

Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written