Solving crossword puzzles can be a fun and relaxing way to pass the time, but sometimes you get stuck on just one clue—like “opportunity.” If you’re sitting there, pencil in hand, wondering what short or long word could mean “opportunity,” don’t worry. This guide will help you figure it out quickly. We’ll explore possible answers, provide word lists, and show you where you might see this clue pop up. Let’s crack it together!
What Does ‘Opportunity Crossword Clue’ Mean?
When you see the word “opportunity” in a crossword puzzle, it’s often used as a clue to another word that means something similar. In crossword puzzles, clues are not always literal. They can be synonyms, metaphors, or sometimes just clever hints.
So when you get a clue like “opportunity,” the puzzle is asking you to find a synonym—a word that means the same thing. Depending on the number of squares in the puzzle, the answer could be short like “try” or longer like “possibility” or “opening.” The key is to think flexibly about how “opportunity” is used in different situations.
Sometimes, the clue might even come with a little trick—like a question mark at the end or a reference to a time or place. Don’t worry, we’ll help you understand those little tricks too.
Easy Words That Mean ‘Opportunity’
In many beginner-level crosswords, clues are kept short and simple. So if the clue is “opportunity” and the answer is just three or four letters, chances are it’s a very common synonym. Here are some easy and short words that often mean “opportunity” in crossword puzzles:
- Try – A chance to do something
- Go – A shot at something, like “give it a go”
- Run – As in “a run at something”
- Try – Often used in sports or games
- Bid – Especially in auctions or elections
- Shot – “Take a shot at it”
- Crack – As in “take a crack at it”
- Turn – Like “your turn” (a chance)
These are great words to try out when the clue is short and you only have a few squares to fill.
Common Short Clues
When puzzle makers create clues for short answers, they tend to rely on the most basic synonyms of opportunity. Here’s how to approach them.
Short words are usually 3 to 5 letters and can be surprisingly tricky. Why? Because there are many short synonyms of “opportunity,” but each one fits in different contexts.
For example:
- “Chance” – A 6-letter classic answer
- “Shot” – 4 letters, common in sports-related puzzles
- “Go” – Just 2 letters, fits tiny grid spaces
- “Bid” – Especially in economic or game-themed puzzles
These kinds of clues show up often in both printed and online crossword puzzles.
Medium-Length Words
Sometimes the puzzle has room for 6 to 8 letters. Here are some medium-length synonyms that might fit your puzzle if the clue is “opportunity”:
- Opening – A very common answer in puzzles
- Chances – Especially if the clue is plural
- Prospect – A bit longer but still fits many medium grids
- Break – Like in the phrase “a lucky break”
- Window – As in “a window of opportunity”
- Occasion – A formal word, but great for crossword use
These words are great if your puzzle gives you a little more room to work with. They’re easy to guess once you have a few letters already filled in.
Longer Options for Bigger Puzzles
If you’re working on a Sunday puzzle or a themed crossword, you might run into longer answers. For the clue “opportunity,” the creator might be thinking of something like:
- Possibility
- Advantage
- Favorable time
- Moment to act
- Golden chance
- Open door
Longer answers often come in when the clue is part of a bigger idea or a theme. You’ll see this in larger puzzles from outlets like the New York Times or LA Times.
How to Guess the Right Word
So how do you know whether the puzzle wants “go,” “chance,” or “opening”?
Here’s how to figure it out:
- Count the boxes – A 2-letter word might be “go” or “it.” A 7-letter word could be “opening.”
- Check the crossings – What letters do you already have filled in from other answers?
- Think about context – Does the clue have extra words like “brief” or “slang”? That could be a hint toward casual language like “shot” or “try.”
- Look for wordplay – Sometimes “opportunity” might be hinted at with phrases like “a foot in the door” or “a break.”
Always go back and double-check the crossing words. If one of them doesn’t fit, your guess might be wrong.
Clue Tricks to Remember
Crossword clues can be sneaky. Here are a few tricks that crossword makers use when they write clues like “opportunity”:
- Wordplay – The clue might have a double meaning.
- Tense or plural clues – If the clue says “opportunities,” the answer needs to be plural too.
- Question marks – A clue like “Golden chance?” could mean a pun is coming.
- Theme clues – In big puzzles, the answer might match a theme, like career terms or space terms.
Also, don’t forget about the tone. If the puzzle is playful, the answer might be slangy. If the clue feels formal, go for a dictionary-style word.
Where You’ll See These Clues
You’ll come across the clue “opportunity” in many different types of crossword puzzles. From print to digital, easy to hard—this clue appears everywhere.
It’s a favorite of puzzle writers because it’s so versatile. “Opportunity” can mean so many things, so they can reuse it with different answers depending on the puzzle’s size and style.
You might see it in:
- Daily newspapers
- Online puzzle sites
- Crossword apps
- Educational worksheets
- Game books and magazines
Newspaper Puzzles
Newspaper puzzles are the original home of clues like “opportunity.” In the U.S., the New York Times Crossword is the gold standard. But there are many others too:
- USA Today Crossword
- LA Times Crossword
- The Washington Post
- Wall Street Journal Crossword
- The Guardian Quick Crossword (UK-based but popular in the US too)
Each publication has its own style. For example, the NYT likes wordplay and themes. USA Today tends to be simpler and more direct.
Puzzle Apps
Many people now solve crosswords using their phones or tablets. If you’re using apps like:
- Crossword Puzzle Redstone
- NYT Crossword App
- Shortyz Crosswords
- Wordscapes or Word Connect (which are word games, not traditional crosswords)
You might see clues like “opportunity” pop up during daily challenges or themed packs.
Simple Crossword Help Tools
If you’re ever stuck, there are some great online tools to help you:
- OneLook Crossword Solver
- WordFinder by YourDictionary
- Crossword Nexus
- Google’s Define feature
- Dictionary.com or Thesaurus.com
These tools let you plug in the letters you have and give you possible matches. They’re especially helpful when you’re dealing with long clues or themed puzzles.
Similar Puzzle Clues to Know
Understanding similar clues can help you become a better crossword solver. Here are some that are often used in the same way as “opportunity”:
- Chance
- Possibility
- Opening
- Prospect
- Break
- Window
- Go
- Turn
- Shot
Learning how all these words connect will make you faster at solving puzzles.
Fun Facts About Crossword Clues
Did you know the first crossword puzzle was printed in 1913 in the New York World newspaper? Since then, crossword puzzles have become one of the most beloved games worldwide.
The word “opportunity” is one of the most reused clues in English crossword history. Why? Because it can mean so many things. Puzzle writers love words like this because they’re flexible, familiar, and open to creative answers.
Also, many school-aged kids are using crosswords now to improve vocabulary and problem-solving skills. Words like “opportunity” show up in educational puzzles for this very reason.
The Bottom Line
Crossword puzzles are meant to challenge and entertain. When you come across the clue “opportunity,” it’s asking for a word that means a chance, a break, or a moment to try something. Whether it’s “go,” “chance,” “opening,” or “possibility,” there’s always a way to solve it—especially if you remember the tips from this guide.
So next time you’re stuck, take a breath, look at the letters you already have, and think about how “opportunity” could be said in another way. You’ll be amazed at how quickly the answer comes to you.
