Meaning

(intransitive) To occur or take place..

Definitions by Sense

1. (intransitive) To occur or take place.
2. (transitive, archaic) To happen to; to befall.
3. (intransitive or impersonal, with infinitive) To do or occur by chance or unexpectedly.
4. (followed by on or upon) To encounter by chance.
5. (informal) To become popular or trendy.
6. (obsolete or dialect) maybe, perhaps.

Example Sentences

Let me tell you how it happened.

Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic who still resists the idea that something drastic needs to happen for him to turn his life around.

'By my soul! I believe something bad has happened me,' he muttered, and popped up his window, and looked out, half dreaming over the church-yard on the park beyond […]

Take an umbrella in case it happens to rain.

Do you happen to have an umbrella?

If you should (happen to) need any help, I'll be there.

It happened that a police car was passing my house just at that moment.

Unexpectedly, in a nook close by the farmhouse, he happened upon a spot where the vintage had actually commenced.

Word Forms

• happens
• happening
• happened

Synonyms for happen

Antonyms for happen

Related Words

When Should You Use Happen?

Use happen when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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