happen to
phrasal verb
happened to; happening to; happens to
: to affect or involve (someone or something) as the result of an event or action
An odd thing happened to me on my way to the office last week.
I wonder what/whatever happened to that guy after he lost his job.
especially
: to affect (someone or something) in a bad or harmful way
I promise nothing will happen to you.
What happened to the car? There's a big scratch on the fender.
Examples of happen to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But giggles have grown quiet as the young girls wonder what happened to their loving dad, who, in their eyes, simply vanished this summer.
—
Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025
So, what happens to the 98% of NCAA student-athletes who don’t go pro?
—Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 17 Nov. 2025
The can opener with integrated 3-mm slotted screwdriver is there to pry the lid, if your coffee happens to be stored in a can.
—New Atlas, 16 Nov. 2025
Payne was suspended for one game without pay, which could be what happens to Ramsey.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happen to
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Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025
So, what happens to the 98% of NCAA student-athletes who don’t go pro?
—Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 17 Nov. 2025
The can opener with integrated 3-mm slotted screwdriver is there to pry the lid, if your coffee happens to be stored in a can.
—New Atlas, 16 Nov. 2025
Payne was suspended for one game without pay, which could be what happens to Ramsey.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happen to
Cite this Entry
“Happen to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happen%20to. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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