happenstance

[hap-uhn-stans]

noun

1. a chance happening happen or event.

happenstance

/ ˈhæpənˌstæns /

noun

1. chance

2. a chance occurrence

Word History and Origins

Origin of happenstance¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; happen + (circum)stance

Example Sentences

It wasn’t Hollywood, exactly, but a recent happenstance just might sustain me for whatever lies ahead.

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Many of Burns’ works do, purely by happenstance.

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Newsom possessed the air of a politician running for president at the boisterous rally, a possibility the California governor says he is considering — and the location he chose was not happenstance.

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Michelle is fluent in the perky command, the passive voice, the slippery non-apology, the kind of language that frames cruelty as blameless happenstance.

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And that’s pretty much how my life has been, all just happenstance.

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Related Words

• coincidence