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View synonyms for happen

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


adverb

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

      happen I'll see thee tomorrow

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage

See occur
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of happen1

C14: see hap 1, -en 1
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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.
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Example Sentences

That along with what happens between Jokić and Anthony Davis.

The league is studying what’s happening in the bubble just as much as those outside of it are, and that includes looking at the replay system.

If that happened, it would put even more political pressure on Democrats by making Republicans look like they’re the ones taking action.

So we’re gonna see what happens, but we did shut it down, yes.

Because most of the newly occurring deaths are happening in red states.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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More About Happen

What is a basic definition of happen?

Happen means to occur, to come to pass by chance, or to befall someone or something. Happen has several other senses as a verb.

Happen is a very general word that simply means to occur or take place. For example, the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln happened on April 15, 1865. That date is when this event took place.

  • Real-life examples: Halloween happens on October 31. Scientists run experiments to see what happens. Nobody knows what will happen in the future. History is a record of what happened in the past.
  • Used in a sentence: The police blocked off the street where the car accident happened. 

Happen also means to occur due to chance or take place without any planning or intent.

  • Used in a sentence: Joe happened to be standing in the exact spot where the water balloon landed. 

Happen is also used to mean to be on the receiving end of an event or action, particularly as a result of good or bad luck. This sense is usually written as “to happen to.”

  • Used in a sentence: Sherri was terrified that something horrible had happened to her kitten.

In this sense, an event is sometimes called a happening, especially if it is unusual or interesting. A slang usage of happening is used to describe an event as exciting.

  • Used in a sentence: Summer is usually busy with happenings like beach parties. Summertime is happening!

Where does happen come from?

The first records of happen come from the early 1300s. It comes from the Middle English happenen, which is formed from the older word hap, meaning “luck” or “event,” and the suffix -en, which turns verbs into adjectives (fasten) or nouns (strengthen).

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to happen?

What are some synonyms for happen?

What are some words that share a root or word element with happen

What are some words that often get used in discussing happen?

How is happen used in real life?

Happen is an extremely common word that means to occur or take place.

Try using happen!

True or False?

If a boxing match happened in Chicago, it means that the fight took place in the city of Chicago.

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