opportunity
noun
op·por·tu·ni·ty
ˌä-pər-ˈtü-nə-tē 
-ˈtyü-
plural opportunities
1
: a favorable juncture of circumstances
the halt provided an opportunity for rest and refreshment
2
: a good chance for advancement or progress
Examples of opportunity in a Sentence
A phony war because its stated objective—eradicating terrorism—is impossible and serves to mask unstated, alarmingly open-ended goals, a kind of fishing expedition that provides an opportunity for America to display its intimidating arsenal …
—
John Edgar Wideman, Harper's, March 2002
Nowadays my only opportunity for an old-fashioned, self-indulgent sulk comes when I'm traveling.
—Ian Frazier, Atlantic, March 2001
I'm handing you an opportunity in the heart of the city where the whole world's heading: journalists, corporate leeches, Japanese tourists, Greco-Roman wrestlers.
—Gary Smith, Illustrated, 11 Sept. 2000
More than 90 percent of female senior managers believe that men's and women's opportunities remain unequal …
—Katha Pollitt, Atlantic, November 1997
You'll have an opportunity to ask questions after the presentation.
When the opportunity came for her to prove that she could do the job, she was ready.
I had the rare opportunity of speaking to the president.
Studying abroad provides a great opportunity to learn a foreign language.
There are fewer job opportunities this year for graduates.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped me with this book.
He was given every opportunity to prove that he was trustworthy.
There is plenty of opportunity for advancement within the company.
John Edgar Wideman, Harper's, March 2002
Nowadays my only opportunity for an old-fashioned, self-indulgent sulk comes when I'm traveling.
—Ian Frazier, Atlantic, March 2001
I'm handing you an opportunity in the heart of the city where the whole world's heading: journalists, corporate leeches, Japanese tourists, Greco-Roman wrestlers.
—Gary Smith, Illustrated, 11 Sept. 2000
More than 90 percent of female senior managers believe that men's and women's opportunities remain unequal …
—Katha Pollitt, Atlantic, November 1997
You'll have an opportunity to ask questions after the presentation.
When the opportunity came for her to prove that she could do the job, she was ready.
I had the rare opportunity of speaking to the president.
Studying abroad provides a great opportunity to learn a foreign language.
There are fewer job opportunities this year for graduates.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped me with this book.
He was given every opportunity to prove that he was trustworthy.
There is plenty of opportunity for advancement within the company.
Recent Examples on the Web
So Lorne gave me that opportunity, which led to 30 Rock, which led to Bridesmaids, which led to a lot of other gigs in the Tina Fey, Robert Carlock, Lorne Michaels universe.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 9 Feb. 2025
From $110 Brooklyn High Low With locations in both Prospect Heights and Park Slope, Brooklyn High Low offers the rare opportunity to enjoy afternoon tea in a borough other than Manhattan.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025
These opportunities include the Breakfast Club, the Happy Innovation Hour, a Dine and Shine dinning event with Berlinale Talents, and a mixer for festival programmers.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Feb. 2025
Artists like Lamar seize this opportunity to showcase their talent on an unparalleled stage, leading to significant boosts in music sales and streaming numbers.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for opportunity 
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Erin Clack, People.com, 9 Feb. 2025
From $110 Brooklyn High Low With locations in both Prospect Heights and Park Slope, Brooklyn High Low offers the rare opportunity to enjoy afternoon tea in a borough other than Manhattan.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025
These opportunities include the Breakfast Club, the Happy Innovation Hour, a Dine and Shine dinning event with Berlinale Talents, and a mixer for festival programmers.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Feb. 2025
Artists like Lamar seize this opportunity to showcase their talent on an unparalleled stage, leading to significant boosts in music sales and streaming numbers.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for opportunity
Articles Related to opportunity
Dictionary Entries Near opportunity
Cite this Entry
“Opportunity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opportunity. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
opportunity
noun
op·por·tu·ni·ty
ˌäp-ər-ˈt(y)ü-nət-ē
plural opportunities
1
: a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place
2
: a chance to better oneself
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