happen — to take place or occur
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to take place or occur
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈhæpən/
Example Sentences
- I happened to meet my ex at the grocery store - talk about awkward timing!
- What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but my credit card bill came home with me.
- Accidents happen when we least expect them.
happen
VERB[/ˈhæpən/]
to take place or occur
A sudden windstorm happens during the family's peaceful picnic
As blades sharpen, storm clouds happen to deepen
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Derived from Middle English 'hap', meaning 'luck' or 'chance'. The word originally conveyed the sense of something occurring by chance or accident, and gradually broadened to mean any event or occurrence taking place.
Breakdown
hap (luck, chance, fortune) + -en (verbal suffix forming verbs). The suffix -en transforms the noun into a verb, creating the sense of 'to occur by chance' or 'to come to pass'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“I happened to meet my ex at the grocery store - talk about awkward timing!”
“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but my credit card bill came home with me.”
“Accidents happen when we least expect them.”
“It just so happens that I have two tickets to the concert.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
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