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happen

HA-puhn/ˈhæpən/

Formshappens, happening, happened

6 meanings of happen

Practice

  1. 1
    take placeverbintransitive
    To take place or occur as an event.

    The accident happened just after midnight.

    Strange things happen when nobody is watching.

    UsageSay it happened (not incorrect: it was happened), and ask what happened to someone.

    Similaroccur, arise, transpire

  2. 2
    by chanceverbintransitivewith infinitive
    To do something, or to take place, by chance and without being planned.

    If you happen to be near the store, please buy some milk.

    I happened to find the key under the mat.

    UsageSay do you happen to know to ask politely.

    Similaroccur, chance

  3. 3
    come acrossverbintransitive
    To come across someone or something by chance.

    Travelers sometimes happen upon hidden waterfalls.

    She happened upon an old letter while cleaning the attic.

    UsageSay happen upon something.

    Similarstumble, chance, come

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    become popularverbcolloquialintransitive
    To become popular and start drawing a crowd or attention.

    That little area is really starting to happen now.

    After the new club opened, the whole street started to happen.

    UsageSay a place is starting to happen.

    Similarboom, thrive, flourish

  2. 5
    affect (someone)verbarchaictransitive
    To come to someone as an event, especially something bad they cannot control.

    I fear some misfortune may happen him on that lonely road.

    Whatever griefs happen us, we endure them in silence.

    Note
  3. 6
    adverbobsolete
    Maybe, used to say something might be true or might occur.
    Yeah, well happen if he'd gone quietly, she wouldn't have needed to show him who's in charge.
    2016, Sally Wainwright, Happy ValleyHere, happen means maybe or perhaps.
    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of happen apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Middle English, based on the word "hap" meaning chance. It may come from Old English "hæppan" (to slip) or Old Norse.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts