Opportunities: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this in formal or neutral contexts when referring to favorable conditions for advancement or success.

• She took advantage of the job opportunities in the city.
• There are many opportunities for growth in this industry.

Best used in informal situations when talking about odds or likelihood of something happening.

• What are the chances of winning the lottery?
• He wants to take a chance and start his own business.

Appropriate in both casual and formal contexts when referring to various potential outcomes or scenarios.

• There are many possibilities to consider for our vacation.
• The possibilities for solving this problem are endless.

Typically used in formal situations or discussions related to future expectations, especially in professional or financial contexts.

• The company's growth prospects are looking very promising.
• Young graduates have excellent prospects in the tech industry.

Commonly used in professional, educational, or personal development scenarios to describe favorable conditions for growth or advancement.

• He decided to move to the city to pursue better job opportunities.
• There are numerous opportunities for students to get involved in extracurricular activities.

Used in everyday conversation to refer to the possibility of something happening. It can be neutral or slightly positive, and may describe random or unexpected occurrences.

• There’s a chance it might rain tomorrow.
• I had the chance to travel to Paris last summer.

Commonly used in professional or formal contexts to refer to available positions or the beginning of an event or opportunity. It implies a vacancy or a newly available option.

• There is an opening for a marketing manager at the new office.
• The grand opening of the gallery attracted a lot of visitors.

Often used in casual or informal discussions to refer to a lucky or unexpected chance, sometimes in entertainment or competitive contexts.

• She got her big break in the film industry when a director noticed her at a local play.
• All he needed was a break to show his real talent.

Refers to favorable circumstances or chances for progress or success. It is used in a neutral or positive context to describe a situation where success is possible.

• She found many opportunities for growth in the new company.
• Traveling abroad can provide excellent opportunities for learning about different cultures.

Often used to mean grabbing or taking hold of something quickly and decisively. It conveys a sense of urgency and sometimes aggression. This term can have a more intense and active connotation.

• Seize the moment and take that trip you've always dreamed of.
• The entrepreneur seized the opportunity to pitch his idea to the investors.

Normally used to imply making use of a situation or resource to benefit oneself. It can sometimes carry a negative connotation if it suggests exploiting or using someone unfairly.

• She took advantage of the available resources to complete her project on time.
• Unfortunately, some people take advantage of their friends' generosity.

Used to describe taking full advantage of a situation or resource to gain some benefit. It often implies a strategic or smart action taken to leverage a specific opportunity.

• You should capitalize on your unique skills to stand out in the job market.
• The company capitalizes on emerging technologies to stay competitive.