How to Sign "Opportunity"

To sign opportunity, hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Form an 'O' handshape with your dominant hand. Bring your dominant hand down to rest the 'O' shape on the open palm of your non-dominant hand.

Examples Using "Opportunity" in a Sentence

1

This is a great opportunity for you.

Sign 'great' followed by 'opportunity' by placing your dominant 'O' hand onto your flat non-dominant palm.

2

I want to take this opportunity to thank you.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'want', then sign 'opportunity' before signing 'thank you'.

3

Don't miss this opportunity.

Sign 'miss' by grabbing the air in front of your face, then sign 'opportunity' with your 'O' hand on your open palm.

How to Sign "Opportunity"
To sign opportunity, hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Form an 'O' handshape with your dominant hand. Bring your dominant hand down to rest the 'O' shape on the open palm of your non-dominant hand.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign uses the initialized 'O' handshape for the English word 'opportunity'. It is placed on an open palm, which often serves as a foundation in ASL for presenting or offering an abstract concept.
Signing Tips
Make sure your non-dominant hand stays flat and stable, acting as a firm base. Your dominant hand should clearly form the letter 'O' before making contact with the palm.
Common Mistakes
Confusing this sign with 'copy'. Remember that 'copy' starts with an open hand that closes as it pulls away, whereas this variation of 'opportunity' places an already-formed 'O' handshape onto the palm.
Regional Variations
A very common alternative ASL sign for 'opportunity' involves both hands starting in 'O' shapes near the chest and pushing forward while changing into 'P' shapes. The version shown here is an initialized variation.
Examples Using "Opportunity" in a Sentence
1

This is a great opportunity for you.

Sign 'great' followed by 'opportunity' by placing your dominant 'O' hand onto your flat non-dominant palm.

2

I want to take this opportunity to thank you.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'want', then sign 'opportunity' before signing 'thank you'.

3

Don't miss this opportunity.

Sign 'miss' by grabbing the air in front of your face, then sign 'opportunity' with your 'O' hand on your open palm.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is there another way to sign 'opportunity'?

Yes! A widely used variation uses both hands starting in 'O' shapes and pushing forward while changing into 'P' shapes. The version shown here is an initialized sign using a single 'O' hand on a base palm.

How do I avoid confusing this sign with 'copy'?

The sign for 'copy' starts with an open dominant hand that closes into an 'O' or 'S' shape as it pulls away from the palm. For 'opportunity', your hand is already in an 'O' shape when it makes contact with the palm.

Does the dominant hand move after touching the palm?

In this variation, the primary movement is the deliberate placement of the 'O' handshape onto the open palm. It may be lifted slightly afterward in natural conversation, but the core sign is the contact.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!