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.

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happening British  

/ ˈhæpənɪŋ, ˈhæpnɪŋ /

noun

1. an occurrence; event

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

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adjective

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

Etymology

Origin of happening

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

Example Sentences

So retirement planning isn’t happening in a vacuum — it’s happening while people are trying to survive real life.

From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026

“The nitrogen cycle, phosphorus cycle, carbon cycle—these fundamental reactions are happening across the globe, but in a wastewater plant it’s happening on steroids,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

To help everyone understand and track what is happening with redistricting and where, here are the latest legal battles over congressional maps we are keeping an eye on:

From Slate • May 14, 2026

"It is happening," he says, "but of course consultation is needed."

From BBC • May 14, 2026

It wasn’t just on land that this was happening, either.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

Related Words

• accident
• adventure
• circumstance
• incident
• milestone
• phenomenon
• proceeding