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

Our study shows that the biggest opportunity is using sugar to feed microbes that make protein.

From Salon

She urged the city to keep its faith-based proposal as originally proposed, because doing so would create “more opportunities for congregations to build housing, especially in high-resource communities.”

From Los Angeles Times

The father of her children and the prosecutor of the case will also have an opportunity to argue why she should remain behind bars.

From BBC

She said she set up the academy to provide low-cost, "detailed technical coaching" to give children "the opportunities that I never had".

From BBC

Diallo said there are also potential issues related to polarization methods, but these create opportunities.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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