happenstance
noun
hap·pen·stance
ˈha-pən-ˌstan(t)s 
ˈha-pᵊm-
: a circumstance especially that is due to chance
They came together by mere happenstance.
happenstance
adjective
Examples of happenstance in a Sentence
Our meeting was pure happenstance.
We met each other by happenstance.
It was an agreeable happenstance that we met.
Recent Examples on the Web
And the initial Spätlese Riesling from Germany was also the product of happenstance.
—
Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2025
This one came to the company almost by happenstance.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
The pair’s love story began with a happenstance meeting at a recording studio in 2021.
—Nathan Vinson, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
For instance, by happenstance, on the opening day of IBC filmmaker Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave) began continuously projecting Occupied City, his 32-hour documentary about the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam on the outside walls of the Rijksmuseum, the Netherlands’ most distinguished museum.
—David Bloom, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
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Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2025
This one came to the company almost by happenstance.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
The pair’s love story began with a happenstance meeting at a recording studio in 2021.
—Nathan Vinson, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
For instance, by happenstance, on the opening day of IBC filmmaker Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave) began continuously projecting Occupied City, his 32-hour documentary about the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam on the outside walls of the Rijksmuseum, the Netherlands’ most distinguished museum.
—David Bloom, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
Cite this Entry
“Happenstance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happenstance. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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