happen
21 synonyms and 0 antonyms for happen, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To take place; to occur.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use happen
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English happenen, built from hap ("chance, occurrence") plus the verb-forming suffix -en.
Full origin of happen →Frequently asked questions
What does “happen” mean?
The word “happen” means to take place; to occur. In plain terms, for an event to take place, or to do something without planning it.
How do you pronounce “happen”?
“Happen” is pronounced HA-puhn (/ˈhæpən/ in IPA).
How do you use “happen” in a sentence?
Here is “happen” used in a sentence: “Nobody knows exactly what happened during the meeting.”
What is another word for “happen”?
Words with a similar meaning to “happen” include bechance, befall, belimp, betide, betime and chance.
What part of speech is “happen”?
“Happen” is a verb.
Where does the word “happen” come from?
The word “happen” comes from Middle English. From Middle English happenen, built from hap ("chance, occurrence") plus the verb-forming suffix -en.
Is “happen” a common word?
“Happen” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “happen” have?
“Happen” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to take place; to occur.
What is the difference between "happen" and "occur"?
Both mean to take place, but "happen" is the everyday, informal choice, while "occur" sounds more formal and is common in writing or reports. "Occur" has an extra sense too — to come to mind, as in "it occurred to me." In most situations, though, they are interchangeable.
What does "happen to" mean?
It has two uses. "Happen to do something" means to do it by chance: "I happen to know her." "Happen to someone" means to befall them: "What happened to you?" The phrase adds a sense of coincidence or of an event affecting a particular person.
What is an example of "happen" in a sentence?
You might say "The accident happened at noon," "Anything can happen," or "What happens next?" Each shows an event taking place. The verb simply states that something occurs, without judging whether it was planned, expected, or simply a matter of chance.