happen

verb

hap·​pen ˈha-pən 

-pᵊm

happened; happening ˈhap-niŋ 

ˈha-pə-

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

• be
• befall
• betide
• chance
• come
• come about
• come down
• come off
• cook
• do
• go down [slang]
• go on
• hap
• occur
• pass
• transpire

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

The event was expected to happen at Discovery Park, where the festival has been held since 2022. —Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 19 Apr. 2024

And that was all happening against the backdrop of Swift’s biggest album cycle and tour ever. —Justin Curto, Vulture, 19 Apr. 2024

Plus, there’s Lane Bryant’s Spring Sale, Ulta’s Spring Haul event, and Wayfair’s Big Outdoor Sale all happening now. —Nicola Fumo, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024

Though telehealth has expanded opportunities for access to care, policies like those in Tennessee restrict these appointments for prescriptions from happening in the state and force some families like the Stamms to cross borders for online appointments. —Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2024

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, moonrise for the Indianapolis area will happen by roughly 8:32 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, crossing the meridian at 1:08 a.m. before setting at 6:38 a.m. Wednesday. —John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Apr. 2024

Sure, my family did take some shorter trips by plane, but my most unique travel experiences growing up all happened because of a cruise. —Rebecca Shinners, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2024

Passover happens every year, typically during March or April. —Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 19 Apr. 2024

The movie was happening at this very accelerated pace. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Apr. 2024

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

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