opportunity
Americannoun
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opportunities
plural
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an appropriate or favorable time or occasion.
Their meeting afforded an opportunity to exchange views.
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a situation or condition favorable for attainment of a goal.
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a good position, chance, or prospect, as for advancement or success.
noun
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a favourable, appropriate, or advantageous combination of circumstances
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a chance or prospect
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of opportunity
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English opportunite, from Middle French, from Latin opportūnitās “convenience, fitness,” equivalent to opportūn(us) ( see 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.
See Examples For:
"She was very enthusiastic and keen and excited about the opportunity," Zilinskaite said.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
“At 5.00% on November 1, the bonds turned out to be a great buy. There could be a similar buying opportunity ahead in the bond market,” Yardeni said.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026
It is about getting the story across, in a manner that allows the audience to relate and gives the performers the opportunity to share their story in a positive way, without feeling shame.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
"There may be windows of opportunity this morning, but it may not be before tonight."
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
Penelope seized the opportunity to ask, “As I said, it is the man called Quinzy who foiled your plans, not us. Will you tell me how you came to know him to begin with?”
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
Being in a busy location like Warner Center with growing access to mass transit offers tenants more opportunities to engage with the city.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
On Monday, he only said: "We'll have opportunities over the next 48 hours to discuss in more detail as the negotiations go forward."
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
He knows that many health professionals have left the country in search of better opportunities abroad, while those who remain often work in difficult conditions.
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026
“Everything around us has exploded in terms of investment, which creates jobs and opportunities we wouldn’t otherwise have,” Jorge said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
Adding to the temptation to avoid race is the fact that opportunities for challenging mass incarceration on purely race-neutral grounds have never been greater.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
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.
