chancy

[ chan-see, chahn- ]

adjective

, chanc·i·er, chanc·i·est.

1. uncertain, hazardous, or risky.

   Synonyms: venturesome, dubious, doubtful, precarious

   Antonyms: predictable, certain, sure

2. random; haphazard; subject to chance.
3. Chiefly Scot. lucky ¹.

chancy

/ ˈtʃɑːnsɪ /

adjective

1. informal.
   of uncertain outcome or temperament; risky

Derived Forms

• ˈchanciness, noun
• ˈchancily, adverb

Other Words From

• chanci·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chancy¹

First recorded in 1505–15; chance + -y ¹

Example Sentences

From here on, the origin mythology of the astounding new orange is as serendipitous and chancy as the odds of human evolution happening again.

From Los Angeles Times

Problems are inevitable, though the path to overcoming them is uncertain, since medical interventions can be chancy.

From New York Times

But as this chancy viewing geometry suggests, most planets will never transit as seen from Earth, which renders them effectively invisible to this workhorse detection technique.

From Scientific American

Marlene seemed confident about it back in Boston; but in Salt Lake City she makes the Fireflies’ plan sound chancier.

From New York Times

Placing the orchestra on the stage might seem acoustically chancy: wouldn’t the sound overwhelm the singers?

From Seattle Times