Hap — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈhap/

Meaning & Definition of Hap

Hap (noun)

  1. happening
  2. chance, fortune
  3. something (such as a bed quilt or cloak) that serves as a covering or wrap

Hap (verb)

  1. happen
  2. clothe, cover

Hap (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that happens

    "we must make the best of both the good and the bad haps of life"

    similar: affair, circumstance, episode, event, happening, incident, occasion, occurrence, thing
    related: coincidence, co-occurrence, fluke, freak, landmark, milepost, milestone, page, phenomenon, turning point, adventure, experience, time, happenchance, happenstance, accident, crisis, emergency, juncture, achievement, deed, exploit, feat, news, tidings

  2. the uncertain course of events

    "by hap and circumstance, he ended up as a cartoonist in New York"

    similar: accident, casualty (archaic), chance, circumstance, hazard, luck
    related: fortuitousness, fortuity, haphazardry, randomness, uncertainty, fluke, happenchance, happenstance, destiny, doom, fate, fortune, lot, danger, peril, risk
    near: intent, intention, purpose, design, outline, plan, scheme

  3. a decorative cloth used as a top covering for a bed

    "the hap was a patchwork quilt that the old woman had made herself"

    similar: bedcover, bedspread, counterpane, coverlet, spread
    related: comforter, puff, quilt, bedclothes, bedding, clothes

Hap (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to take place

    "what wondrous events hath happed this Christmas Day?"

    similar: be, befall, betide, chance, come, come about, come down, come off, cook, do, go down (slang), go on, happen, occur, pass, transpire, come to pass
    related: break, develop, rise, shape (up), arise, come up, crop (up), materialize, spring (up), intervene, fall out, follow, result, turn out, go off, proceed

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Hap

The most common words with a similar meaning to Hap:

Archaic: casualty
Slang: go down
affair, circumstance, episode, event, happening, incident, occasion, occurrence, thing, accident, chance, hazard, luck, bedcover, bedspread, counterpane, coverlet, spread, be, befall, betide, come, come about, come down, come off, cook, do, go on, happen, occur, pass, transpire, come to pass

Related Words for Hap

coincidence, co-occurrence, fluke, freak, landmark, milepost, milestone, page, phenomenon, turning point, adventure, experience, time, happenchance, happenstance, crisis, emergency, juncture, achievement, deed, exploit, feat, news, tidings, fortuitousness, fortuity, haphazardry, randomness, uncertainty, destiny

Near Antonyms of Hap

intent, intention, purpose, design, outline, plan, scheme

Word Forms of Hap

Inflections: happed, happing

Origin & Etymology of Hap

Middle English, from Old Norse happ good luck; akin to Old English gehæp suitable, Old Church Slavic kobĭ lot, fate

First known use: 13th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Hap

What does "Hap" mean?

"Hap" means happening. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: happening. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Hap"?

Other words for "Hap" include affair, circumstance, episode, event, happening, incident, occasion and occurrence. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Hap" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Hap"?

There are 94 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Hap". Common alternatives include affair, circumstance, episode, event, happening, incident, occasion, occurrence, thing and accident.

How do you use "Hap" in a sentence?

Examples of "Hap" in a sentence: "we must make the best of both the good and the bad haps of life"; "by hap and circumstance, he ended up as a cartoonist in New York"; "the hap was a patchwork quilt that the old woman had made herself".

Is "Hap" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Hap" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Hap"?

"Hap" is pronounced /ˈhap/.

What is the origin of the word "Hap"?

"Hap" comes from Middle English, from Old Norse happ good luck; akin to Old English gehæp suitable, Old Church Slavic kobĭ lot, fate. First known use: 13th century.

What is another word for "Hap" meaning "something that happens"?

When "Hap" (noun) means something that happens, synonyms include affair, circumstance, episode, event, happening and incident.