# happening

Pronunciation: say "HAP-uh-ning" /ˈhæpɪnɪŋ/

## Verb

1. Present participle of happen. — present participle and gerund of happen
   - Simple: Present participle of happen. Use it after "is" or "was" for something going on, now or in the past.
   - _A lot is happening downtown this weekend._
   - _She asked what was happening at the meeting._

## Noun

2. An occurrence; an event that takes place or comes about.
   - Simple: An event or thing that takes place.
   - _A curious happening interrupted the otherwise quiet afternoon._
   - _Reporters tried to record the day's happenings at the summit._
4. An experimental artistic performance or event, often involving improvisation and audience participation.
   - Simple: An unusual art show or event, often made up as it goes, where the crowd may join in.
   - _The gallery hosted a happening where visitors became part of the artwork._
   - _The art students turned the empty parking lot into a happening, handing out paint and inviting anyone walking by to join in._

## Adjective

3. Lively, exciting and fashionable; where the latest things are going on. *(slang)*
   - Simple: Exciting, busy and popular right now.
   - _The bar was the most happening place in town that summer._
   - _She wanted to live somewhere lively and happening._

## Origin

**Meanings 1, 3** — From Middle English *happenynge, formed from the verb "happen" plus the suffix "-ing".
**Meanings 2, 4** — Formed from "happen" plus "-ing". As a term in performance art it was popularized by Allan Kaprow.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/happening (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).