happen

verb

hap·​pen ˈha-pən 

-pᵊm

happened; happening ˈha-pə-niŋ 

ˈhap-niŋ

intransitive verb

1

: to occur by chance

—often used with it

it so happens I'm going your way

2

: to come into being or occur as an event, process, or result

mistakes will happen

3

: to do, encounter, or attain something by or as if by chance

I happen to know the answer

4

a

: to meet or discover something by chance

happened upon a system that worked

—Richard Corbin

b

: to come or go casually : make a chance appearance

he might happen by at any time

5

: to come especially by way of injury or harm

I promise nothing will happen to you

Synonyms

• occur
• come
• be
• do

Examples of happen in a Sentence

Something like that was bound to happen sooner or later.

You never know what's going to happen when they get together.

What happened at school today?

“What's happening?” “They're installing new equipment.”

Recent Examples on the Web

This can also happen when the hair is in a state of friction, such as being trapped under tight leggings or during workouts. —Audrey Noble, Vogue, 1 July 2025

The Senate has spent some 18 hours churning through more than two dozen amendments in what is called a vote-a-rama, a typically laborious process that went on longer than usual as negotiations happen on and off the chamber floor. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025

The crash happened about 10:08 p.m. on Lancaster Pike when the storm caused a tree to fall into the path of an SUV, according to state police. —Doc Louallen, ABC News, 1 July 2025

Waller's return from retirement happened one day after the Dolphins sent their Pro Bowl tight end from 2024, Jonnu Smith, to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a deal involving Jalen Ramsey and Minkah Fitzpatrick. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from hap

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing happen

• disaster waiting to happen
• happen along
• happen by
• happen into
• happen on/upon
• happen to

Rhymes for happen

• lapin
• terrapin

Kids Definition

happen

verb

hap·​pen ˈhap-ən 

ˈhap-ᵊm

happened; happening ˈhap-(ə-)niŋ 

1

: to occur or come about by chance

2

: to take place : occur

3

: to have occasion or opportunity

happened to overhear

4

a

: to meet or find something by chance

happened upon the right answer

b

: to appear casually or by chance

happened into the room just as the music started

5

: to come by way of injury or harm

nothing will happen to you

Etymology

Middle English happenen "to occur by chance," from hap "chance, chance occurrence" — related to happy, mishap, perhaps