1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To find or encounter someone or something by accident, without having planned or searched for it.
"I chanced on a fascinating old diary while clearing out the attic."
inseparable
chance on
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
To find or meet something or someone by accident.
In plain English
To discover something or meet someone by luck, when you weren't looking for them.
What does "chance on" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To meet someone unexpectedly.
"He chanced on an old school friend while travelling through Paris."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To happen upon something by chance — i.e., to land on it by pure luck.
Actually means
To discover something or meet someone by luck, when you weren't looking for them.
Usage tip
Slightly literary or old-fashioned. More common in written English than spoken. 'Chance on' and 'chance upon' are interchangeable. Often used with discoveries of books, places, or information.
Words that pair with "chance on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
discovery solution book person information place
How to conjugate "chance on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
chance on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
chances on
he/she/it
Past simple
chanced on
yesterday
Past participle
chanced on
have + pp
-ing form
chancing on
continuous
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