chance upon

Variant of chance

chance definition

chance (c̸hans, c̸häns)

noun

  1. the happening of events without apparent cause, or the apparent absence of cause or design; fortuity; luck to leave things to chance
  2. an unpredictable event or accidental happening
  3. a risk or gamble
  4. a ticket in a lottery or raffle
  5. an advantageous or opportune time or occasion; opportunity you'll have a chance to go
  6. a possibility or probability there is little chance of success; what are their chances of winning?
  7. Archaic a mishap; mischance
  8. ☆ Baseball an opportunity to field a ball on which a fielder is credited with a putout or assist, or charged with an error

Etymology: ME chaunce < OFr cheance < VL cadentia, that which falls out < L cadens, prp. of cadere, to fall: see case

adjective

happening by chance; accidental a chance encounter

intransitive verb chanced, chancing chanc′·ing

  1. to have the fortune, good or bad I chanced to see them
  2. to happen by chance

transitive verb

to leave to chance; risk let's chance it
chance Idioms

by chance

  1. as it may happen; perchance
  2. accidentally

chance on

or chance upon
to find or meet by chance

(the) chances are

the likelihood is chances are she will visit today

on the (off) chance

relying on the (remote) possibility; in case

take one's chances

Informal to accept the uncertain outcome as of a course of action

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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