Phrase guide

off chance

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A possibility that is not likely or probable.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • He submitted a job application on the off chance that nobody better would.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From off + chance.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: малка вероятност (malka verojatnost) — possibility that is not likely
  • Finnish: siinä toivossa — possibility that is not likely
  • Russian: малая вероятность (malaja verojatnostʹ) — possibility that is not likely
  • Spanish: remota posibilidad — possibility that is not likely
  • Spanish: posibilidad remota — possibility that is not likely