You know that feeling when something might happen but you're not sure? That's what we call chance. But did you know there are many other ways to say chance? From lucky breaks to risks, these words make talking about possibilities much more fun. Let's explore some easy and cool synonyms you can use every day!
1. Opportunity
An opportunity is a good chance to do something helpful or exciting. For example, "She had the opportunity to travel abroad." It often means a chance to improve or succeed. When a door opens for you, that's an opportunity. It's usually a positive chance, something you want to take. People talk about job opportunities or chances to learn new things. So, when you get a good chance, you can call it an opportunity.
2. Possibility
A possibility means that something might happen, but it's not sure. For example, "There is a possibility of rain today." It shows that something could be true or could happen. Possibility is about the chance of something happening in the future. It doesn't say how likely, just that it can happen. You can say, "There's a possibility we'll meet later." It's a gentle way to talk about chance or hope.
3. Probability
Probability is a word that tells how likely something is to happen. For example, "The probability of winning the game is low." It is often used in math and science to explain chances. Probability means chance with a number or percentage. When something has a high probability, it's likely to happen. If the probability is low, it probably won't. It's a smart way to talk about chances in a clear way.
4. Likelihood
Likelihood means how likely or possible something is to happen. For example, "There's a high likelihood of snow tomorrow." It's similar to probability but used more in everyday talk. When you say likelihood, you're guessing if something will happen. It can be low, medium, or high. You can say, "The likelihood of success is good." Likelihood helps us talk about chance without numbers.
5. Prospect
A prospect means a chance or hope that something good will happen. For example, "He has a good prospect of getting a new job." It's a hopeful chance for the future. People use it when they expect something positive. Prospect feels a little more formal and is often about success or good results. It's like saying, "There's a chance for something better." Use prospect to sound optimistic about what's coming.
6. Shot
A shot is a casual way to say chance, usually for trying something. For example, "Give it a shot!" means "Try it!" It is often used when you're not sure what will happen but want to try anyway. A shot is a quick chance or attempt at something. You might say, "I'll take a shot at fixing it." It's a fun, easy word for chance when you want to encourage trying.
7. Opening
An opening means a chance or time when something becomes possible. For example, "There's an opening for a new teacher." It's like a door or space where you can enter or start. An opening can be a job, a chance to speak, or a moment to do something. When something opens, it gives you an opportunity. Opening is often used for chances that don't last long.
8. Option
An option is a choice or a possible way to do something. For example, "You have the option to stay or leave." It means there is more than one chance or path. Option focuses on the chance to pick between different things. You can say, "I chose the best option." It's about having chances and picking what you want. Option helps us talk about chances with choices.
9. Break
A break is a lucky chance that helps you. For example, "She got a break and won the competition." It often means a sudden good chance or luck. People say "break" when something good happens unexpectedly. A break can change your day or life for the better. It's a friendly way to talk about chance, especially when luck helps. You can say, "I'm waiting for my big break."
10. Fortune
Fortune means good luck or chance. For example, "He made a fortune by selling his idea." It can mean a lot of money or just good luck. Fortune talks about chance but with a happy or lucky meaning. People often say "good fortune" when something nice happens by chance. It's a word for lucky chances that bring success or happiness. Fortune feels a bit fancy and positive.
11. Luck
Luck is a simple and common word for chance, especially good or bad fortune. For example, "Good luck on your test!" It's about things happening by chance without control. Luck can be good or bad. When you win a prize by chance, you have good luck. When something bad happens, it's bad luck. People often talk about luck when they hope for something positive or when something surprising happens.
12. Risk
A risk means a chance of something bad happening. For example, "There's a risk of falling if you climb that tree." Risk is about danger or loss. It's the chance that something might go wrong. People talk about risk when they try new things that might be unsafe or hard. Sometimes taking a risk can lead to success, but it's also a chance for failure. Risk helps us understand chance when there's danger involved.
13. Gamble
A gamble is a chance you take when the result is uncertain and risky. For example, "Starting a new business is a gamble." It means you don't know if you will win or lose. People use gamble when talking about taking a big chance with money or decisions. Gambling is often about luck and risk together. When you gamble, you are hoping for a good result but know it might not happen.
14. Coincidence
A coincidence is when two or more things happen by chance at the same time. For example, "It was a coincidence that we wore the same shirt." It means something happened without planning. Coincidences are surprising and often make us wonder if it was just chance or something more. People enjoy sharing coincidences because they seem special or funny. It's a neat way to talk about chance meetings or events.
15. Fluke
A fluke is a chance event that happens unexpectedly and luckily. For example, "Winning the game was a fluke." It means the result was not planned and probably won't happen again. Fluke is used when something good happens by pure luck. People say, "It was just a fluke," to explain a lucky accident. It's a fun way to talk about surprising chances that feel random but great.
16. Hazard
A hazard means a chance of danger or harm. For example, "Wet floors are a hazard for slipping." It's a chance that something unsafe or harmful might happen. Hazards can be things or situations that cause accidents or problems. People talk about hazards to warn others about risks. It's like a chance for something bad, so we need to be careful. Hazard is used in safety talks and warnings.
17. Venture
A venture is a chance to do something new or risky, often in business. For example, "They started a new venture to sell handmade goods." It means trying something that might fail or succeed. Ventures are chances for growth but also involve risk. People talk about business ventures or new projects. Venture is a chance combined with effort and hope. It sounds a bit serious and exciting.
18. Occurrence
An occurrence is an event or something that happens, often by chance. For example, "Rain is a common occurrence in spring." It means something takes place, sometimes unexpectedly. Occurrence is a simple way to talk about things that happen. It doesn't say if it's good or bad, just that it happened. You might say, "The occurrence of accidents is low." It's a neutral way to talk about chance events.
19. Contingency
A contingency is a possible event or condition that depends on something else. For example, "We planned for all contingencies before the trip." It means a chance that something might happen if other things happen first. Contingency is often used in planning or preparing for problems or surprises. It's a careful way to talk about chance and possibility. People use it when they want to be ready for whatever happens.

Final Thoughts
Now you have 19 easy and fun ways to say chance. Each word has its own little meaning and feeling. Some mean good luck, some mean risk, and others just mean something might happen. Using these words will make your speaking and writing more interesting. Next time you talk about chances, try some of these cool synonyms. It's a simple way to sound smarter and more creative every day!
Synonym | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
Opportunity | A good chance to do something helpful | She had the opportunity to travel abroad. |
Possibility | Something might happen but not sure | There is a possibility of rain today. |
Probability | How likely something will happen | The probability of winning is low. |
Likelihood | How likely or possible something is | There's a high likelihood of snow tomorrow. |
Prospect | A hope or chance for something good | He has a good prospect of getting a job. |
Shot | A casual chance or attempt | Give it a shot! |
Opening | A chance or time when something becomes possible | There's an opening for a new teacher. |
Option | A choice or way to do something | You have the option to stay or leave. |
Break | A lucky chance that helps you | She got a break and won the competition. |
Fortune | Good luck or chance, often for success | He made a fortune by selling his idea. |
Luck | Chance of good or bad things happening | Good luck on your test! |
Risk | A chance that something bad might happen | There's a risk of falling if you climb that tree. |
Gamble | A chance taken with an uncertain result | Starting a business is a gamble. |
Coincidence | Two things happening by chance at the same time | It was a coincidence we wore the same shirt. |
Fluke | A lucky event happening by surprise | Winning was just a fluke. |
Hazard | A chance of danger or harm | Wet floors are a hazard for slipping. |
Venture | A new or risky chance, often business | They started a new venture selling goods. |
Occurrence | Something that happens, sometimes unexpectedly | Rain is a common occurrence in spring. |
Contingency | A possible event depending on something else | We planned for all contingencies before the trip. |