opportunity

[ op-er-too-ni-tee, -tyoo- ]

noun

, plural op·por·tu·ni·ties.

1. an appropriate or favorable time or occasion:

   Their meeting afforded an opportunity to exchange views.

2. a situation or condition favorable for attainment of a goal.
3. a good position, chance, or prospect, as for advancement or success.

opportunity

/ ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪtɪ /

noun

1. a favourable, appropriate, or advantageous combination of circumstances
2. a chance or prospect

Word History and Origins

Origin of opportunity¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English opportunite, from Middle French, from Latin opportūnitās “convenience, fitness,” equivalent to opportūn(us) ( opportune ) + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

Both parties are now equal opportunity offenders when it comes to gaming the system.

From The Daily Beast

At any rate, policy can enforce equal rights and foster equal opportunity.

From The Daily Beast

In fact, these kinds of advances helped give religion another huge window of opportunity for racial reconciliation in the 1960s.

From The Daily Beast

Now imagine that one day hope appeared, an unexpected opportunity to free yourself, to finally be yourself.

From The Daily Beast

I had the opportunity to appear on the popular Sons of Anarchy series in their final season.

From The Daily Beast

I seized the opportunity to watch what I supposed would be a most interesting interview, from behind a curtain.

From Project Gutenberg

The real experience has a magnetism of its own and will win above mere technicality whenever it has the opportunity.

From Project Gutenberg

England gladly seized the opportunity of injuring her enemy and sent aid to the people of Spain.

From Project Gutenberg

On the march Harry had an opportunity to tell Lawrence much that had happened to him since they parted.

From Project Gutenberg

The humorist and satirist lost no opportunity of deriding the new fashion and its followers.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• convenience
• event
• excuse
• freedom
• hope
• moment
• space
• time