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
Studying abroad provides a great opportunity to learn a foreign language.
There were many missed opportunities (to score) throughout the game.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone.
The dog ran away at every opportunity. [= whenever it was able to]
at the first/earliest opportunity [= as soon as we are able to]
This is a golden opportunity to buy. [= an excellent chance to buy]
2
: a good chance for advancement or progress
the land of opportunity
Be ready when opportunity knocks. [= when the chance to do something occurs]
There are fewer job opportunities this year for graduates.
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
Welcome back Queta didn’t get much of an opportunity to reach his potential after the Kings selected him out of Utah State in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft, but the 7-foot center has blossomed in Boston.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Their resiliency, their just desire to find a way to punch through and get better on a weekly basis has led us to this opportunity; and now has granted us another one.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
At the science center in the Oakland hills, children had the opportunity to make New Year’s Eve party hats while waiting for the balloons to fall during the 25th annual event.
—Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 1 Jan. 2026
Trump will have the opportunity to replace Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chairman, which could have a major economic impact, especially given the Fed’s dual mandate on inflation and unemployment.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opportunity
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Their resiliency, their just desire to find a way to punch through and get better on a weekly basis has led us to this opportunity; and now has granted us another one.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
At the science center in the Oakland hills, children had the opportunity to make New Year’s Eve party hats while waiting for the balloons to fall during the 25th annual event.
—Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 1 Jan. 2026
Trump will have the opportunity to replace Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chairman, which could have a major economic impact, especially given the Fed’s dual mandate on inflation and unemployment.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opportunity
Cite this Entry
“Opportunity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opportunity. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
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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