Looking up...
happen
/ˈhæpən/
to take place or occur
What happened at the meeting yesterday?
This example shows the word 'happen' used to ask about an event that occurred.
general
to take place or occur
Something strange happened on my way home.
This sentence describes an unusual event that occurred.
The concert happened last weekend.
This example shows the word 'happen' used to describe an event that took place.
This is the most common and general meaning of 'happen'.
general
to come about by chance
I happened to see her at the store.
This example shows the word 'happen' used to describe something that occurred by chance.
It just happened that we were both free on Saturday.
This example shows the word 'happen' used to describe a coincidence.
This meaning emphasizes the accidental or coincidental nature of the event.
Collocations
happen toto do something by chance or accidentallyhappen uponto discover something by chancehappen to beto be somewhere or in a certain state by chance
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
'Happen' is often used in questions and passive constructions, such as 'What happened?' or 'It happened that...'.
Chance Events
When 'happen' is used to describe something that occurs by chance, it is often followed by 'to' or 'upon'.
Gold Rule
Passive Constructions
'Happen' is frequently used in passive constructions to describe events that occur without a clear subject, such as 'It happened that...'.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'happen', from Old Norse 'happna' (to happen, chance), from 'happ' (chance, fortune). Related to 'hap' (chance).
Usage Notes
The word 'happen' is often used in questions and passive constructions. It can be used to describe events that occur by chance or as part of a planned sequence.
Word Breakdown
hap
chance or fortune
root-en
to cause or become
suffixEnglish Dictionary