Happen — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈha-pən/ hap·pen

Meaning & Definition of Happen

Happen (verb)

  1. to occur by chance —often used with it
  2. to come into being or occur as an event, process, or result
  3. to do, encounter, or attain something by or as if by chance

Happen (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to take place

    "did anything exciting happen over the summer?"

    similar: be, befall, betide, chance, come, come about, come down, come off, cook, do, go down (slang), go on, hap, 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

Related Entry: Happen (on or upon) (verb)

Happen (on or upon) is a different word from Happen. The synonyms below are for happen (on or upon), not for happen.

  1. to come upon unexpectedly or by chance

    "happened on the filming of a movie"

    similar: chance (upon), encounter, find, hit (upon), light (on or upon), meet, pitch (upon), stumble (on or onto), tumble (upon), bump into, come across, run across, run against, run into, run upon
    related: luck (out, on, onto, or into), confront, face, discover, strike, turn up

Related Entry: Happen (upon) (verb)

Happen (upon) is a different word from Happen. The synonyms below are for happen (upon), not for happen.

  1. to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face

    "happened upon the hotel manager in the lobby and promptly complained about the room"

    similar: catch, chance (upon), encounter, meet, stumble (upon), bump into, cross paths (with), run across, run into, run upon
    related: accost, confront, face, greet, salute, collide (with), crash (into), crisscross, cross, pass, hit (upon), light (upon), tumble (to), reencounter, remeet
    near: avoid, dodge, duck, elude, escape, evade, shake, shun

Related Entry: Happen (by) (verb)

Happen (by) is a different word from Happen. The synonyms below are for happen (by), not for happen.

  1. as in bop (into)

    similar: bop (into), look up, see, frequent, hang (at), haunt, resort (to), barge (in), call, come by, come over, drop by, drop in, pop (in), run (over), run in, step in, stop (by or in), visit

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Happen

The most common words with a similar meaning to Happen:

Slang: go down
be, befall, betide, chance, come, come about, come down, come off, cook, do, go on, hap, occur, pass, transpire, come to pass

Related Words for Happen

break, develop, rise, shape (up), arise, come up, crop (up), materialize, spring (up), intervene, fall out, follow, result, turn out, go off, proceed

Word Forms of Happen

Inflections: happened, happening

Origin & Etymology of Happen

Middle English, from hap

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Happen

Words & Phrases Containing Happen

happen along, happen into, happen on/upon, happen to

Frequently Asked Questions about Happen

What does "Happen" mean?

"Happen" means to occur by chance —often used with it. As a verb, it is defined as: to occur by chance —often used with it.

What is another word for "Happen"?

Other words for "Happen" include be, befall, betide, chance, come, come about, come down and come off. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Happen" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Happen"?

There are 33 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Happen". Common alternatives include be, befall, betide, chance, come, come about, come down, come off, cook and do.

How do you use "Happen" in a sentence?

Examples of "Happen" in a sentence: "did anything exciting happen over the summer?".

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

"Happen" is a verb.

Is "Happen" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Happen" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Happen"?

"Happen" is pronounced /ˈha-pən/ and divided into syllables as hap·pen.

What is the origin of the word "Happen"?

"Happen" comes from Middle English, from hap. First known use: 14th century.