happening

[hap-uh-ning]

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

/ ˈhæpənɪŋ, ˈhæpnɪŋ /

noun

1. an occurrence; event

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

adjective

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of happening¹

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

Example Sentences

When you’re just another tourist following a well-trodden itinerary, serendipity is rare, but the Georgian hinterland seems to regularly yield chance happenings.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Asked if he felt the trend of drinking raw milk would gain momentum, Richardson said: "Unfortunately, I can see it happening."

Read more on BBC

“Health insurance is just that. It’s insurance against bad things happening,” McKeon said.

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So when industry insiders finally started ringing alarm bells, I couldn’t resist diving deeper into what’s really happening.

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“We didn’t even know what was happening,” his father said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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