˜yÐÄvlog

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View synonyms for

happen

[ hap-uhn ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to take place; come to pass; occur:

    Something interesting is always happening in New York.

    Synonyms:

  2. 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.

  3. to have the fortune or lot (to do or be as specified); chance:

    I happened to see him on the street.

  4. to befall, as to a person or thing:

    Something dreadful has happened to me.

  5. to meet or discover by chance (usually followed by on or upon ):

    to happen on a clue to a mystery.

  6. to be, come, go, etc., casually or by chance:

    My friend happened along.

  7. Slang. to be very exciting or interesting:

    That party was happening!



happen

/ ˈ³óæ±èÉ™²Ô /

verb

  1. intr (of an event in time) to come about or take place; occur
  2. intrfoll byto (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

  3. tr to chance (to be or do something)

    I happen to know him

  4. tr; takes a clause as object to be the case, esp if by chance, that

    it happens that I know him

“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

adverb

  1. dialect.
    1. another word for perhaps
    2. ( as sentence modifier )

      happen I'll see thee tomorrow

“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
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Usage

See occur
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of happen1

First recorded in 1300–50, happen is from the Middle English word hap(pe)nen. See hap 1, -en 1
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of happen1

C14: see hap 1, -en 1
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Synonym Study

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.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Sherman shared alarming video from his residential security cameras of his home being burglarized at gunpoint by three men shortly after midnight March 30 — which happened to be the three-time All-Pro’s 37th birthday.

From

The state is expected to record a third straight year of ample water supplies in the mountains, which hasn’t happened in a quarter of a century.

From

It’s a gripping saga that consistently makes unexpected turns to keep the viewer held by their collar, eyes wide, waiting to see what will happen to Marshall, Frances and their precious mushroom next.

From

"They said they had an arrest order for me but gave me no details. My son was awake, and I couldn't even tell him what was happening as I didn't get it myself."

From

Canada has come to believe that Trump is actually serious about wanting to annex their country and is intent upon collapsing their economy in order to make that happen.

From

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More About Happen

What is a basic definition of happen?

Happen means to occur, to come to pass by chance, or to befall someone or something. Happen has several other senses as a verb.

Happen is a very general word that simply means to occur or take place. For example, the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln happened on April 15, 1865. That date is when this event took place.

  • Real-life examples: Halloween happens on October 31. Scientists run experiments to see what happens. Nobody knows what will happen in the future. History is a record of what happened in the past.
  • Used in a sentence: The police blocked off the street where the car accident happened. 

Happen also means to occur due to chance or take place without any planning or intent.

  • Used in a sentence: Joe happened to be standing in the exact spot where the water balloon landed. 

Happen is also used to mean to be on the receiving end of an event or action, particularly as a result of good or bad luck. This sense is usually written as “to happen ³Ù´Ç.â€

  • Used in a sentence: Sherri was terrified that something horrible had happened to her kitten.

In this sense, an event is sometimes called a happening, especially if it is unusual or interesting. A slang usage of happening is used to describe an event as exciting.

  • Used in a sentence: Summer is usually busy with happenings like beach parties. Summertime is happening!

Where does happen come from?

The first records of happen come from the early 1300s. It comes from the Middle English happenen, which is formed from the older word hap, meaning “luck†or “event,†and the suffix -en, which turns verbs into adjectives (fasten) or nouns (strengthen).

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to happen?

What are some synonyms for happen?

What are some words that share a root or word element with happen?Ìý

What are some words that often get used in discussing happen?

How is ³ó²¹±è±è±ð²ÔÌýused in real life?

Happen is an extremely common word that means to occur or take place.

Try using happen!

True or False?

If a boxing match happened in Chicago, it means that the fight took place in the city of Chicago.

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