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| chance [ chanss ] |
noun (plural chanc·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. likelihood that something will happen: the degree of probability that something will happen
(
often used in the plural
)
  There's a strong chance we'll win.
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2. opportunity or opportune time: an opportunity or a set of circumstances that makes it possible for something to happen
I was given no chance to explain.
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3. gamble or risk: a gamble or other act involving uncertainty or risk
You're taking a chance by not wearing a seat belt.
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4. supposed force that makes things happen: the supposed force that makes things happen in a particular way without any apparent cause
It was pure chance that we met.
a chance encounter
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5. raffle or lottery ticket: a ticket in a raffle or lottery
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6. baseball opportunity to make putout in baseball: in baseball, an opportunity to field a ball and make a putout or assist
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7. unexpected happening: an unexpected event
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8. something caused by luck: something caused by luck or fortune
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verb (past and past participle chanced, present participle chanc·ing, 3rd person present singular chanc·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive verb do something risky: to do something knowing that it is risky
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2. intransitive verb do something unplanned: to do something or happen without a cause or plan
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| [13th century. Via Anglo-Norman< late Latin cadentia "falling" < present participle of Latin cadere "to fall"] |
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by any chance used to inquire if there is any possibility of something
Could you lend me your copy, by any chance?
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by chance unexpectedly or without plan
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fat chance something that is highly unlikely (slang)
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given half a chance if the slightest opportunity should present itself
He did what most of us would do, given half a chance.
Given half a chance, he'll talk for hours about his kids.
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take a chance to pursue a risky course of action
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