The difference between Chance and Encounter

When used as nouns, chance means an opportunity or possibility, whereas encounter means an unplanned or unexpected meeting.

When used as verbs, chance means to happen by chance, to occur, whereas encounter means to meet (someone) or find (something) unexpectedly.


Chance is also adverb with the meaning: perchance.

Chance is also adjective with the meaning: happening by chance, casual.

check bellow for the other definitions of Chance and Encounter

  1. Chance as a noun (countable):

    An opportunity or possibility.

    Examples:

    "We had the chance to meet the president last week."

  2. Chance as a noun (uncountable):

    Random occurrence; luck.

    Examples:

    "Why leave it to chance when a few simple steps will secure the desired outcome?"

  3. Chance as a noun (countable):

    The probability of something happening.

    Examples:

    "There is a 30 percent chance of rain tomorrow."

  4. Chance as a noun (countable, archaic):

    What befalls or happens to a person; their lot or fate.

  1. Chance as an adjective:

    Happening by chance, casual.

  1. Chance as an adverb (obsolete):

    Perchance; perhaps.

  1. Chance as a verb (archaic, intransitive):

    To happen by chance, to occur.

    Examples:

    "It chanced that I found a solution the very next day."

  2. Chance as a verb (archaic, transitive):

    To befall; to happen to.

  3. Chance as a verb:

    To try or risk.

    Examples:

    "Shall we carry the umbrella, or chance a rainstorm?"

  4. Chance as a verb:

    To discover something by chance.

    Examples:

    "He chanced upon a kindly stranger who showed him the way."

  5. Chance as a verb (Belize):

    To rob, cheat or swindle someone.

    Examples:

    "I was chanced out of my money by that fast-talking salesman."

  1. Encounter as a verb (transitive):

    To meet (someone) or find (something) unexpectedly.

  2. Encounter as a verb (transitive):

    To confront (someone or something) face to face.

  3. Encounter as a verb (ambitransitive):

    To engage in conflict, as with an enemy.

    Examples:

    "Three armies encountered at Waterloo."

  1. Encounter as a noun:

    An unplanned or unexpected meeting.

    Examples:

    "Their encounter was a matter of chance."

  2. Encounter as a noun:

    A hostile meeting; a confrontation or skirmish.

  3. Encounter as a noun:

    A sudden, often violent clash, as between combatants.

  4. Encounter as a noun (sports):

    A match between two opposing sides.