op·por·tu·ni·ty  ( ŏp ′ər-t n ĭ-t ē, -ty -)
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n. pl. op·por·tu·ni·ties 1. A favorable or advantageous circumstance or combination of circumstances. 2. A chance for progress or advancement, as in a career.
Synonyms: opportunity, occasion, opening, chance, break These nouns refer to a favorable or advantageous circumstance or combination of circumstances. Opportunity is a favorable state of affairs or a suitable time: "If you prepare yourself ... you will be able to grasp opportunity for broader experience when it appears" (Eleanor Roosevelt). Occasion suggests the proper time for an action or purpose: "The celebration of the New Year is an occasion for optimism and hope" (Bill Clinton). An opening is an opportunity affording a good possibility of success: She waited patiently for her opening, then proved she was ready to lead the group. Chance often implies an opportunity that arises through luck or accident: Meeting each other at the coffee shop was a chance for us to chat. A break is an often sudden piece of luck, especially good luck: The aspiring actor got his first big break in Hollywood. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2020 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices
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