opportunity

opportunity — noun

1. a situation or moment that lets you do something useful, important, or enjoyable

1.nounB1
Definition

a situation or moment that lets you do something useful, important, or enjoyable that may not be possible later

Example

The conference gave Lina an opportunity to meet local business owners.

opportunity to + verb

After dinner, we had an opportunity for a quiet talk outside.

opportunity for + noun

Common collocations
  • golden opportunity
  • miss an opportunity
  • seize an opportunity
  • opportunity to learn
  • opportunity for growth
Synonyms
  • chance

    is the nearest everyday word and is slightly more conversational

  • possibility

    can be more neutral and does not always suggest a helpful moment

  • opening

    often suggests a useful chance created by a change in a situation

  • occasion

    names the time or event itself more than the advantage it offers

Antonyms
  • obstacle

    suggests something that blocks action instead of allowing it

Grammar Patterns

an opportunity to do something

opportunity for + noun

give someone an opportunity

Usage Note

Often followed by to + verb when the action is named directly, or by for + noun when the focus is on the activity itself. Distinguish from noun/2, which is specifically about getting a job.

Common Mistakes

I had an opportunity meet the director.
I had an opportunity to meet the director.
use 'to' before the verb.
This is a good opportunity for learn English.
This is a good opportunity to learn English.' / 'This is a good opportunity for English practice.
use 'to + verb' or 'for + noun'.

2. a chance to get paid work, especially when a company or organization is looking

2.nounB2
Definition

a chance to get paid work, especially when a company or organization is looking for someone

Example

The website lists job opportunities for new nurses in Taipei.

job opportunities for + role

After college, Marco found few opportunities in newspaper design.

opportunities in + field

Common collocations
  • job opportunity
  • career opportunities
  • employment opportunities
  • opportunities in finance
  • opportunities for graduates
Synonyms
  • opening

    often means an available job that people can apply for

  • vacancy

    focuses on an unfilled position rather than the broader career chance

  • position

    means the job itself, not the chance to get it

  • prospect

    can suggest future career possibilities rather than one specific job

Grammar Patterns

job opportunities

opportunities in + field

opportunities for + group

Usage Note

Common in the plural when talking about the number of jobs available in a place, company, or field. Often appears with words like job, career, employment, or a phrase naming the industry.

Common Mistakes

I am looking an opportunity in a bank.
I am looking for an opportunity in a bank.
use 'look for' when searching.
She found an opportunity as work in a hospital.
She found an opportunity to work in a hospital.' / 'She found a job opportunity in a hospital.
use 'to work' after 'opportunity', not 'as work'.

Word family

  • opportune
    adjectiveC2
  • opportunist
    nounC2
  • opportunistic
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For noun/1, opportunity suggests a useful or favorable moment for action. Chance is the closest everyday synonym and is often more conversational. Possibility is broader: it can simply mean that something could happen, without suggesting a specially helpful time. Opening often points to a chance created by change, competition, or someone leaving. Occasion usually names the event or time itself, not the advantage inside it. You can say This internship is a great opportunity to learn, while There is a possibility of rain does not imply any benefit. In job contexts, opening is often more specific than opportunity.

opportunity ↗chance ↗possibility ↗opening ↗occasion ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • have an opportunity
  • give someone an opportunity
  • miss an opportunity
  • opportunity to do something

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Opportunity came into English through French from Latin opportunitas. A related Latin word, opportunus, meant suitable or favorable, and may earlier have referred to conditions that brought a ship safely toward port. In English, the word kept the idea of a helpful moment or set of conditions for doing something.