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

“Please, please do not permit this to happen here in Florida,” wrote Cris K. Smith of East Polk County.

From The Daily Beast

They now know that bad things can, and do, happen to those they love.

From The Daily Beast

The possibility that the same outcome could happen another way -- namely a guy asks me out -- keeps me from taking action.

From The Daily Beast

How does it happen that citizens of modest means suffer as public sector unions gain?

From The Daily Beast

The unspoken question from his son and the thousands of other kids was, “Could it happen to you?”

From The Daily Beast

That it is a reasonable and proper thing to ask our statesmen and politicians: what is going to happen to the world?

From Project Gutenberg

Greater mischiefs happen often from folly, meanness, and vanity than from the greater sins of avarice and ambition.

From Project Gutenberg

Such things happen to all flesh, from man even to beast, and upon sinners are sevenfold more.

From Project Gutenberg

At first startled, her second thought was that this would be the best possible thing which could happen.

From Project Gutenberg

Suddenly she stopped laughing, and said in a low voice, "You don't happen to have a beefsteak about you, do you?"

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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