Chance vs. Opportunity — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 3, 2023
Chance is a possibility of something happening, often random, while opportunity is a favorable circumstance for a desired goal.
Difference Between Chance and Opportunity
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Chance refers to the occurrence of events without any deliberate intention, often dictated by random factors or luck. It embodies a sense of unpredictability and possibility that something might happen. Conversely, opportunity is about circumstances that are conducive to achieving a particular goal or action; it implies a situation where there’s a higher likelihood of a beneficial outcome if acted upon.
Talking about chance, it conveys the idea that there is no control over the outcome. It could be winning a lottery or encountering a rain shower. It’s about probabilities. Opportunity, however, is about seizing the moment; it implies that one can take deliberate action to benefit from the situation. It often involves preparation meeting the moment of chance.
When someone says they are taking a chance, they might be engaging in something with an uncertain outcome. It can be an action with equally probable outcomes of success or failure. On the other hand, when someone is given an opportunity, they are presented with a scenario where the odds of success are enhanced by the context, their skills, or both.
Chance often requires one to take a risk without a guarantee of the desired result. It’s like rolling the dice and hoping for the best possible number to come up. Opportunity, while it may also involve risk, is generally considered a more favorable set of circumstances, which has the potential to be advantageous if utilized properly.
One may say that life is full of chances, which can either be taken or missed, and these can lead to unexpected outcomes. Opportunities, in contrast, need to be created or identified; they represent moments that can lead to planned and sometimes strategic outcomes. Both play significant roles in shaping the trajectories of individual lives.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Random, unpredictable
Favorable, strategic
Control
Little to none
Can be created or acted upon
Association with Risk
Inherent, often equal risk and reward
Calculated, with potential for gain
Dependency
On luck or probability
On action and circumstances
Temporal Aspect
Can occur anytime
Often arises at a particular moment
Compare with Definitions
Chance
An occurrence or event that is random and unplanned.
By chance, I found a $20 bill on the street.
Opportunity
A set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.
The job fair presented an opportunity for employment.
Chance
An opportunity to try or attempt something.
Everyone deserves a chance to succeed.
Opportunity
A chance for employment or promotion.
The company's expansion has created more opportunities for its employees.
Chance
The unknown and unpredictable element in happenings that seems to have no assignable cause.
Opportunity
A favorable moment for achieving something.
This is a great opportunity to start your own business.
Chance
A force assumed to cause events that cannot be foreseen or controlled; luck
Chance will determine the outcome.
Opportunity
An occasion or situation that offers a good chance for advancement or progress.
She took the opportunity to travel abroad.
Chance
Often chances The likelihood of something happening; possibility or probability
Chances are good that you will win. Is there any chance of rain?.
Opportunity
A time or set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something
The night drive gave us the opportunity of spotting rhinos
Increased opportunities for export
Chance
An accidental or unpredictable event
"He sprang to his feet and turned to run. At the same moment by a lucky chance the moon broke through the clouds" (Arthur Conan Doyle).
Opportunity
A favorable or advantageous circumstance or combination of circumstances.
Chance
A favorable set of circumstances; an opportunity
A chance to escape.
Opportunity
A chance for progress or advancement, as in a career.
Chance
A risk or hazard; a gamble
Took a chance that the ice would hold me.
Opportunity
A chance for advancement, progress or profit.
The world is full of opportunities and it's up to me to see them and pursue them.
Seize the opportunity
Take an opportunity
Missed opportunity
The opportunity came and went
You'll get a second opportunity if you miss this one.
Chance
(Games) A raffle or lottery ticket.
Opportunity
A favorable circumstance or occasion.
Having a holiday is a great opportunity to relax.
Chance
(Baseball) An opportunity to make a putout or an assist that counts as an error if unsuccessful.
Opportunity
Opportuneness
The Court questioned the opportunity of introducing these measures in such an uncertain economic climate.
Chance
Caused by or ascribable to chance; unexpected, random, or casual
A chance encounter.
A chance result.
Opportunity
Fit or convenient time or situation; a time or place permitting or favorable for the execution of a purpose; a suitable combination of conditions; suitable occasion; chance.
A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.
Chance
To take the risk or hazard of
We thought we could jump over the puddle, but we were not willing to chance it.
Opportunity
Convenience of situation; fitness.
Hull, a town of great strength and opportunity, both to sea and land affairs.
Chance
To have the fortune (to be or do something); happen
"My eye chanced to fall on the wizened houseplant on the windowsill" (Elisabeth Brink).
Opportunity
Importunity; earnestness.
Chance
Used with the impersonal subject it and a following clause or infinitive to indicate the occurrence of a usually unexpected or chance event
"Now it chanced that this car-line was owned by gentlemen who were trying to make money" (Upton Sinclair).
Opportunity
A possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances;
The holiday gave us the opportunity to visit Washington
Now is your chance
Chance
(countable) An opportunity or possibility.
We had the chance to meet the president last week.
Opportunity
An opportune time or occasion.
He missed the opportunity to meet the director.
Chance
(uncountable) Random occurrence; luck.
Why leave it to chance when a few simple steps will secure the desired outcome?
Chance
(countable) The probability of something happening.
There is a 30 percent chance of rain tomorrow.
Chance
(in plural as chances) probability; possibility.
Chance
What befalls or happens to a person; their lot or fate.
Chance
Happening by chance, casual.
Chance
(obsolete) Perchance; perhaps.
Chance
To happen by chance, to occur.
It chanced that I found a solution the very next day.
Chance
To befall; to happen to.
Chance
To try or risk.
Shall we carry the umbrella, or chance a rainstorm?
Chance
To discover something by chance.
He chanced upon a kindly stranger who showed him the way.
Chance
(Belize) To rob, cheat or swindle someone.
The car broke down a week after I bought it. I was chanced by that fast-talking salesman.
Chance
A supposed material or psychical agent or mode of activity other than a force, law, or purpose; fortune; fate; - in this sense often personified.
It is strictly and philosophically true in nature and reason that there is no such thing as chance or accident; it being evident that these words do not signify anything really existing, anything that is truly an agent or the cause of any event; but they signify merely men's ignorance of the real and immediate cause.
Any society into which chance might throw him.
That powerWhich erring men call Chance.
Chance
The operation or activity of such agent.
By chance a priest came down that way.
Chance
The supposed effect of such an agent; something that befalls, as the result of unknown or unconsidered forces; the issue of uncertain conditions; an event not calculated upon; an unexpected occurrence; a happening; accident; fortuity; casualty.
In the field of observation, chance favors only the mind that is prepared.
It was a chance that happened to us.
The Knave of Diamonds tries his wily arts,And wins (O shameful chance!) the Queen of Hearts.
I spake of most disastrous chance.
Chance
A possibility; a likelihood; an opportunity; - with reference to a doubtful result; as, a chance to escape; a chance for life; the chances are all against him.
So weary with disasters, tugged with fortune.That I would get my life on any chance,To mend it, or be rid on 't
Chance
Probability.
Chance
To happen, come, or arrive, without design or expectation.
If a bird's nest chance to be before thee.
I chanced on this letter.
How chance, thou art returned so soon?
Chance
To take the chances of; to venture upon; - usually with it as object.
Come what will, I will chance it.
Chance
To befall; to happen to.
Chance
Happening by chance; casual.
Chance
By chance; perchance.
Chance
A possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances;
The holiday gave us the opportunity to visit Washington
Now is your chance
Chance
An unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another;
Bad luck caused his downfall
We ran into each other by pure chance
Chance
A risk involving danger;
You take a chance when you let her drive
Chance
A measure of how likely it is that some event will occur;
What is the probability of rain?
We have a good chance of winning
Chance
Be the case by chance;
I chanced to meet my old friend in the street
Chance
Take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome;
When you buy these stocks you are gambling
Chance
Come upon, as if by accident; meet with;
We find this idea in Plato
I happened upon the most wonderful bakery not very far from here
She chanced upon an interesting book in the bookstore the other day
Chance
Occurring or appearing or singled out by chance;
Their accidental meeting led to a renewal of their friendship
Seek help from casual passers-by
A casual meeting
A chance occurrence
Chance
The possibility of something happening.
There's a good chance it will rain today.
Chance
A risk involving uncertain outcomes.
I took a chance on a new restaurant.
Chance
The absence of any deliberate intention or cause.
Our meeting was purely by chance.
Common Curiosities
Do chances always have a 50/50 outcome?
No, chances can have a range of outcomes with varying probabilities.
What is the essence of a chance?
A chance is the occurrence of events without any planning or intention.
Is taking a chance the same as taking a risk?
Yes, taking a chance often means engaging in a risky action with uncertain results.
Is opportunity always positive?
Opportunities are typically seen as positive, offering a path to achieve something beneficial.
Can opportunities be missed?
Yes, opportunities can be missed if not recognized or acted upon in time.
Is luck always involved with chance?
Luck often plays a role in the outcome of a chance event.
Does chance play a role in business?
Yes, chance can affect business outcomes, though businesses often try to minimize its impact.
How does opportunity relate to preparation?
Opportunity often arises when preparedness meets the right set of circumstances.
Can one improve their chances of something happening?
Yes, by influencing variables within one’s control, one can improve the chances.
Are opportunities fair?
Not always; access to opportunities can be influenced by various socioeconomic factors.
Can everyone have equal opportunities?
Ideally, yes, but in reality, opportunities are not always distributed equally.
Can chance lead to opportunity?
Yes, sometimes a random chance can result in an opportunity if acted upon wisely.
Is it better to take a chance or wait for an opportunity?
It depends on the situation; sometimes it’s better to seize a moment of chance, while at other times it's wiser to wait for a clear opportunity.
Is it possible to create your own opportunities?
Yes, by preparing and positioning oneself strategically, one can create opportunities.
How can one recognize an opportunity?
Recognizing an opportunity often involves understanding the potential benefits of a situation.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
