1 happen | Definition of happen
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

happen

verb
hap·​pen | \ ˈha-pən How to pronounce happen (audio) , -pᔊm\
happened; happening\ ˈhap-​niƋ How to pronounce happening (audio) , ˈha-​pə-​ \

Definition of happen

intransitive verb

1 : to occur by chance —often used with it it so happens I'm going your way
2 : to come into being or occur as an event, process, or result mistakes will happen
3 : to do, encounter, or attain something by or as if by chance I happen to know the answer
4a : to meet or discover something by chance happened upon a system that worked— Richard Corbin
b : to come or go casually : make a chance appearance he might happen by at any time
5 : to come especially by way of injury or harm I promise nothing will happen to you
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about happen

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of happen in a Sentence

Something like that was bound to happen sooner or later. You never know what's going to happen when they get together. What happened at school today? “What's happening?” “They're installing new equipment.”
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

 Now, armed with drone data that shows where the next big blaze is likely to happen, insurers simply cancel policies. — Ed Leefeldt, CBS News, "After wildfires, hundreds of thousands of Californians can't get insurance," 30 Aug. 2019 After settling into a new home, mysterious things begin to happen. — Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week Sept. 1 - 7, 2019: John Wayne in ‘The Searchers’ and more," 30 Aug. 2019 For most people with misdemeanors, the process is supposed to happen automatically. — Robert Mccoppin, chicagotribune.com, "Expunging marijuana convictions: What you need to know," 30 Aug. 2019 And losses are going to happen — no one had the Hilltoppers pegged as a national title contender in 2019. — Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, "Western Kentucky football pays $325,000 to lose to FCS Central Arkansas," 30 Aug. 2019 The palm-nut vultures have learned that when keepers cluster in their uniforms, something is going to happen, Handrus said. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Devoted parents, they purify the environment: Meet the vultures," 30 Aug. 2019 In other words, Homeworld 3 is a lock to happen...eventually. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "Gearbox finally announces a proper Homeworld sequel, 15 long years later," 30 Aug. 2019 Chubb’s speed and power against a guard or center is a sack/takeaway waiting to happen. — Ryan O'halloran, The Denver Post, "Broncos Analysis: Exiting long preseason, reasons for optimism, concern," 30 Aug. 2019 If that was to happen a second landfall would be practically unavoidable. — Leigh Morgan, al, "Could Hurricane Dorian make it into the Gulf?," 29 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'happen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of happen

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for happen

Middle English, from hap

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for happen

happen

verb
How to pronounce happen (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of happen

: to take place especially without being planned
: to do or be something by chance
—used with it to describe something that occurs by chance

See the full definition for happen in the English Language Learners Dictionary

happen

verb
hap·​pen | \ ˈha-pən How to pronounce happen (audio) \
happened; happening

Kids Definition of happen

1 : to take place Stop crying and tell me what happened.
2 : to occur or come about by chance It just so happens I know them.
3 : to do or be by chance I happened to overhear this.
4 : to come especially by way of injury or harm Nothing will happen to you.

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on happen

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with happen

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for happen

Spanish Central: Translation of happen

Nglish: Translation of happen for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of happen for Arabic Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!