opportunity
Americannoun
plural
opportunities-
an appropriate or favorable time or occasion.
Their meeting afforded an opportunity to exchange views.
-
a situation or condition favorable for attainment of a goal.
-
a good position, chance, or prospect, as for advancement or success.
noun
-
a favourable, appropriate, or advantageous combination of circumstances
-
a chance or prospect
Etymology
Origin of opportunity
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English opportunite, from Middle French, from Latin opportūnitās “convenience, fitness,” equivalent to opportūn(us) ( opportune ) + -itās -ity
Explanation
Seize the noun, opportunity, if you're talking about circumstances that allow you do to something you'd like to do. Wouldn't you love to have the opportunity to meet your favorite musician? When the situation is right for you to do something you're interested in doing, you have the opportunity to do it. The word comes from the Latin phrase, ob portum veniens "coming toward a port" which refers to a favorable wind blowing ships into the harbor. Think of an opportunity as something a good wind blew your way.
Vocabulary lists containing opportunity
Figurative Language in King's "I Have a Dream" Speech (1963)
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Words for a New Year
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Apple has a real opportunity to grab some meaningful kind of share when their competitors are on their back feet, struggling with some macro difficulty,” says Rosenblatt Securities analyst Barton Crockett.
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026
I give her every opportunity, but Ms. Stefanik declines to divulge her calculation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
And this suit is an opportunity to make that stop.
From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026
"I want to take this opportunity to request that their privacy is respected during this difficult time."
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
Penelope found this revolting, frankly, but it kept the children happily occupied and thus provided an opportunity for her to exercise her powers of deduction.
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
