happenchance

[ hap-uhn-chans, -chahns ]

noun

1. happenstance.

Word History and Origins

Origin of happenchance¹

First recorded in 1875–80; happen + chance

Example Sentences

That we're not just here by happenchance, and we want to know that we're powerful.

From Salon

The 73-year-old, who was born in New Jersey and now lives in Calabasas, California, has been a fan of Fulham FC for decades, after watching a match "by happenchance" during a visit to London.

From BBC

"There is no way that communicating changes which affect different groups very differently, over different timelines, should ever have been left to general awareness campaigns or happenchance," he said.

From BBC

I’ve seen the increase in child abuse, I’ve seen divorce, I’ve seen the increase in sex trafficking, I’ve seen the increase in violence against women, I’ve seen the increase in school shootings and workplace shootings … Why would the student sitting in the classroom who knows they all could have been aborted, that they are all here just by happenchance, why would he not think, if he’s having a bad day, that it’s not OK to kill his classmates?”

From Salon

The discovery was somewhat happenchance.

From Science Magazine