happen

[ hap-uhn ]

verb (used without object)

1. to take place; come to pass; occur:

   Something interesting is always happening in New York.

   Synonyms: betide

2. to come to pass by chance; occur without apparent reason or design:

   Don't ask me what caused it—it just happened, that's all.

3. to have the fortune or lot (to do or be as specified); chance:

   I happened to see him on the street.

4. to befall, as to a person or thing:

   Something dreadful has happened to me.

5. to meet or discover by chance (usually followed by on or upon ):

   to happen on a clue to a mystery.

6. to be, come, go, etc., casually or by chance:

   My friend happened along.

7. Slang. to be very exciting or interesting:

   That party was happening!

happen

/ ˈhæpən /

verb

1. intr (of an event in time) to come about or take place; occur
2. intrfoll byto (of some unforeseen circumstance or event, esp death), to fall to the lot (of); be a source of good or bad fortune (to)

   if anything happens to me, it'll be your fault

3. tr to chance (to be or do something)

   I happen to know him

4. tr; takes a clause as object to be the case, esp if by chance, that

   it happens that I know him

adverb

1. dialect.
   1. another word for perhaps
   2. ( as sentence modifier )

      happen I'll see thee tomorrow

Usage

See occur

Word History and Origins

Origin of happen¹

First recorded in 1300–50, happen is from the Middle English word hap(pe)nen. See hap ¹, -en ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of happen¹

C14: see hap ¹, -en ¹

Synonym Study

Happen, chance, occur refer to the taking place of an event. Happen, which originally denoted the taking place by hap or chance, is now the most general word for coming to pass: Something has happened. Chance suggests the accidental nature of an event: It chanced to rain that day. Occur is often interchangeable with happen, but is more formal, and is usually more specific as to time and event: His death occurred the following year.

Example Sentences

During the inquest, at Crook in County Durham, the coroner heard an air ambulance could have been sent to the scene earlier, but this did not happen.

From BBC

Benjamin pointed to Kennedy's previous comments questioning the safety and efficacy of vaccines, and what might happen if there were another pandemic during his tenure.

From BBC

And he said to her, “Oh, you’re brainwashed. Nothing’s going to happen. That’s all just propaganda.”

From Los Angeles Times

“My fear is that now, with this kind of legislation and who knows what will happen next, that is going to change even for kids who do have supportive families,” McClain said.

From Salon

Some will be public and dramatic, and others will happen behind closed doors, with delayed effects.

From Salon

Related Words

• appear
• arise
• arrive
• crop up
• develop
• fall
• go on
• hit
• materialize
• meet
• pass
• result
• take effect
• take place
• transpire