Happen

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈhapÉ™n/
• US IPA: /ˈhæpÉ™n/
• Rhymes: -æpÉ™n

Origin

From Middle English happenen

Full definition of happen

Verb

1. To occur or take place.
• 2013-06-28, Joris Luyendijk, Our banks are out of control, Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic who still resists the idea that something drastic needs to happen for him to turn his life around.
2. Let me tell you how it happened.
3. To occur unexpectedly, by chance or with a low probability.
   Take an umbrella in case it happens to rain.
   Do you happen to have an umbrella?
4. (followed by on or upon) To encounter by chance.
• 1860, Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Marble Faun, ch. 30:Unexpectedly, in a nook close by the farmhouse, he happened upon a spot where the vintage had actually commenced.

Usage notes

This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. See

Derived terms

Related terms

• happening
• happenstance

Adverb

1. obsolete or dialect maybe, perhaps.----