Reading Theme:
Chance: Meaning, Examples, and Common Collocations (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：opportunity (chance)
chance
/tʃæns/
n.
A possibility or time when you can do something, like a job offer or a lucky break.
opportunity
➕
/ˌɒp.əˈtjuː.nə.ti/
n.
A favorable or suitable occasion or time when something can be done; a possibility resulting from luck or circumstance.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'cadentia' (falling), via Old French 'cheance' – how dice fall.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'chance' as a 'chain' of events – you never know where it leads.
📖 Example
Moving to the big city was a chance for him to start a new life and pursue his dream career.
Moving to the big city was a chance for him to start a new life and pursue his dream career.
🔗 Collocations
take a chance – to accept a risk in hope of gain
by chance – without planning or intention
chance of success – the likelihood of achieving success
🔄 Synonyms
opportunity (n.) – A set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.
possibility (n.) – A thing that may happen or be the case.
likelihood (n.) – The state or fact of something being likely.
🚫 Antonyms
certainty (n.) – A fact that is definitely true or an event that is definitely going to happen.
inevitability (n.) – The quality of being certain to happen.
🌱 Derivatives
chancy (adj.) – Involving risk or uncertainty.
chanciness (n.) – The quality of being risky or uncertain.
📖 Cultural Story
Originally from Latin 'cadentia' meaning 'that which falls', referring to dice throws. Entered English in the 13th century, evolving from luck in games to general opportunity.
Meaning 2：coincidence (chance)
chance
/tʃæns/
n.
Something happening without being planned or intended, just by luck or accident.
coincidence
➕
/kəʊˈɪn.sɪ.dəns/
n.
The occurrence of events without apparent cause or design; luck or fortune beyond human control.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
We met by pure chance at the airport; neither of us knew the other was traveling that day.
We met by pure chance at the airport; neither of us knew the other was traveling that day.
🔗 Collocations
by any chance – used to ask something in a polite way
pure chance – something that happens accidentally without any plan
game of chance – a game whose outcome depends on luck rather than skill
🔄 Synonyms
coincidence (n.) – A remarkable concurrence of events without apparent causal connection.
accident (n.) – An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally.
fluke (n.) – An unlikely chance occurrence, especially a surprising piece of luck.
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
chancy (adj.) – Involving risk or uncertainty.
chanciness (n.) – The quality of being risky or uncertain.
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