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 orupon ).

   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. (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

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

Yes, it happened with two out and the bases loaded and allowed the Dodgers to steal a National League Division Series clinching 2-1 victory in 11 taut innings Thursday at Dodger Stadium!

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“No one in the Department, including the Chief has ever raised or discussed this baseless allegation with me, because it simply never happened. Anyone claiming otherwise is lying.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I will not tolerate delay, which many think will happen, or any outcome where Gaza poses a threat again.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Even if the 44-year-old retains his job, the chemistry course at the university is being phased out, with similar closures happening across the country.

Read more on BBC

Wednesday just happened to be the deadline a judge set for lawyers to file an omnibus complaint on behalf of 10,000 residents and business owners.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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

When To Use

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!