Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

happening

American  
[hap-uh-ning] / ˈhæp ə nɪŋ /

noun

  1. something that happens; occurrence; event.

    Synonyms:
    case, affair, instance, episode, incident
  2. an unconventional dramatic or artistically orchestrated performance, often a series of discontinuous events involving audience participation.

  3. any event considered worthwhile, unusual, or interesting.


happening British  
/ ˈhæpənɪŋ, ˈhæpnɪŋ /

noun

  1. an occurrence; event

  2. an improvised or spontaneous display or performance consisting of bizarre and haphazard events

"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

adjective

  1. informal fashionable and up-to-the-minute

"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

Etymology

Origin of happening

First recorded in 1545–55; 1965–70 happening for def. 2; happen + -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“We want to invest in building a really great company that doesn’t really matter what’s happening in the macroeconomic environment.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

There's too many of these accidents happening now.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

That’s exactly what is happening right now to Abigail Spanberger.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

“Everything that’s happening in the Middle East. I’m seeing prices rise at the supermarket. And of course we have this constant thread of AI data-centers being built.”

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

Whatever was happening with Anna May, Frances seemed to understand.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu