chances - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
chances Word Meanings
- a possibility of something happening
- an opportunity to do something
- a risk or likelihood
chances Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
chances Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/tʃɑːns/
US
/tʃæns/
chances Word Etymology
chance = 'fortune' (from Latin 'cadentia' = 'to fall') + -ce (noun form); Derived from Latin through Old French to English. Imagine a dice roll that determines the fortune of a game, where chance is the unpredictability of the outcome.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
First, I set the cup down and push the lid back a little, a tiny action that shifts the pace of the room. A pause forms—there’s a moment when the day feels open, a real chance to say the right thing or take a different path. I adjust my stance, keep my breath steady, and hold the idea that one small move can steer what happens next. Later, you learn that when the moment comes to act, you can push forward or pull back, and the outcome changes with you.
Real Context
Chance is the English noun that covers possibility, probability, and luck in everyday use. You can talk about the chance of rain, your chances of winning, or the idea of taking a chance yourself. It can refer to a favorable opportunity as well as a risk you might take. In many phrases, chance also carries a sense of unpredictability rather than a fixed outcome, such as 'high chance' or 'low chance'. It is different from strictly mathematical probability, and different from 'opportunity', which tends to emphasize a positive opening rather than the odds. Learners should note collocations like 'give someone a chance' and 'take a chance'.
Usage Reminders
- Use chance for general possibility and for taking risks.
- Say 'the chance of' for probabilities, and 'have a chance' or 'take a chance' for opportunities or experiments.
- Compare with 'probability' in math, which is more precise.
- Avoid saying 'a chance' when you mean a strong opportunity; prefer 'a great opportunity'.
- Remember weather phrases: 'the chance of rain' is common, not 'the chance rain'.
Common Misconceptions
- Chance = probability in all contexts
- Take a chance always guarantees success
- The chance of something always means a good outcome
- Chance and opportunity are interchangeable in formal writing
- Weather phrases with chance always require formal weather terms
Thinking Differences
English tends to separate chance as both probability and opportunity, with clear collocations like 'take a chance' and 'chance of rain' that learners should memorize. Mistakes often involve treating chance as a guarantee or confusing it with opportunity in formal writing.
Learning Tips
- 1600+ common collocations with chance
- practice 'the chance of' vs 'a chance of' usage
- distinguish chance from probability in math
- use 'take a chance' for risk-taking
- learn weather phrases with 'the chance of'
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What does the word 'chances' mean?
A.A type of plant
B.The speed of a moving object
C.Possibilities of something happening
D.An element of water
Step 2: Usage
Select the correct usage of the word 'chances' in a sentence.
A.The chances of winning the lottery are very slim.
B.She took a chance with a hot cup of coffee.
C.The chances to win the game were irrelevant.
D.We need to chance the language in this document.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'chances'?
A.Possibilities
B.Determinations
C.Instructions
D.Terms
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'chances'?
A.Opportunities
B.Certainties
C.Risks
D.Alternatives
Step 5: Mastery
Can you describe a situation where you might consider different chances?
A.Baking a cake with a family recipe
B.Taking a walk in the park with a friend
C.When deciding whether to invest in a new business venture
D.Reading a book on the couch
Related Listening
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