happen

[ hap-uhn ]

/ ˈhæp ən /

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See synonyms for: happen / happened / happening / happens on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to take place; come to pass; occur: Something interesting is always happening in New York.

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.

to have the fortune or lot (to do or be as specified); chance: I happened to see him on the street.

to befall, as to a person or thing: Something dreadful has happened to me.

to meet or discover by chance (usually followed by on or upon): to happen on a clue to a mystery.

to be, come, go, etc., casually or by chance: My friend happened along.

Slang. to be very exciting or interesting: That party was happening!

OTHER WORDS FOR happen

1 betide.

See synonyms for happen on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of happen

First recorded in 1300–50, happen is from the Middle English word hap(pe)nen. See hap¹, -en¹

synonym study for happen

1. 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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use happen in a sentence

The nursing home has been free of covid-19 for the past month, but Lindsay said he is worried about what will happen as employees return from holiday celebrations.
Maryland and Virginia nursing homes battle explosive covid-19 outbreaks — again|Rebecca Tan, Rachel Chason|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Solomon said the rate of infection is reflective of what is happening in the Garrett County community.
Smithsonian museums, zoo to close as coronavirus caseload in D.C. region hits record for 16th day|Dana Hedgpeth, Ovetta Wiggins|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Since the election, he’s been doing everything in his power to make people think that actually happened.
Just because an attempt to steal an election is ludicrous and ham-handed doesn’t mean it can’t work|Philip Bump|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Weird things began happening to every member of my family — brand new irritations, aches and pains.
The pandemic isn’t ending anytime soon. And our bodies are feeling the stress.|Petula Dvorak|November 19, 2020|Washington Post

In a news conference, Richards said “it makes me ill” to think what could have happened had they become romantically involved.
Woman sues after learning ‘anonymous’ sperm donor was her own fertility doctor|Rachel Weiner|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
So, what happens if nothing in his training has replicated such a dire condition?
Flight 8501 Poses Question: Are Modern Jets Too Automated to Fly?|Clive Irving|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But this is also what happens sometimes to actresses (and journalists) when someone hits it big.
Brie Larson’s Hollywood Transformation|Marlow Stern|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“It happens very often that the form smothers the content,” he says.
Christoph Waltz on Bond, Burton, and Channeling His Inner Darkness|Marlow Stern|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Just ask Darren Sharper what happens if your sporting career suddenly falters.
Jameis Winston Cleared of Rape Like Every Other College Sports Star|Robert Silverman|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It happens, of course, but the less time a person is sick, the better their chances of recovery.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Any exaggeration into which a feeling of indignation happens to betray the accuser is instantly pounced upon.
Children's Ways|James Sully
They generally give the impression that they don't even know who happens to be the President of the moment.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
It's easy for a prisoner t' slip a note to a friend that happens t' be mountin' guard.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
If God is all wise, and knows all that happens, will He not know what is for man's good better than man can tell Him?
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
What joker thought that would be a good name for an exploring ship I can't imagine, but it always happens that way.
Fee of the Frontier|Horace Brown Fyfe

British Dictionary definitions for happen

happen

/ (ˈhæpən) /

verb

(intr) (of an event in time) to come about or take place; occur

(intr foll by to) (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

(tr) to chance (to be or do something)I happen to know him

(tr; takes a clause as object) to be the case, esp if by chance, thatit happens that I know him

adverb, sentence substitute

Northern English dialect

another word for perhaps
(as sentence modifier)happen I'll see thee tomorrow

Word Origin for happen

C14: see hap 1, -en 1

undefined happen

See occur

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

happen

OTHER WORDS FOR happen

Origin of happen

synonym study for happen

Words related to happen

How to use happen in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for happen

Word Origin for happen

undefined happen