occasion
uh-KAY-zhuhn
Occasion (noun) means a particular time when something happens, especially something notable. Example: “On one occasion, the train arrived early, which amazed all the commuters.”
noun
1
A particular time when something happens, especially something notable.
"On one occasion, the train arrived early, which amazed all the commuters."
"On this occasion, I'll let it slide."
"Their wedding was a joyful occasion for the whole family."
2
A reason, opportunity, or need for something.
"I rarely have occasion to wear a suit."
"There was no occasion for rudeness, so I wonder why he shouted at her."
"You have no occasion to worry, because the results will be fine."
verb
1
To cause or bring about.
"The delay was occasioned by bad weather."
"His careless remark occasioned a long argument among the guests at dinner."
"The new road occasioned much complaint from the people living nearby."
How to use occasion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA specific time or event, or a reason for doing something.
Common pairings
a special occasion
rise to the occasion
on this occasion
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Word forms
- Plural
- occasions
- Third person singular
- occasions
- Past tense
- occasioned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
On one _____, the train arrived early, which amazed all the commuters.
Etymology
From Latin occasio, "opportunity, occurrence", from occidere, "to fall down, happen" — from ob- plus cadere ("to fall").
Related words
Rhymes for occasion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for occasion →
Frequently asked questions
What does “occasion” mean?
The word “occasion” means a particular time when something happens, especially something notable. In plain terms, a specific time or event, or a reason for doing something.
How do you pronounce “occasion”?
“Occasion” is pronounced uh-KAY-zhuhn (/əˈkeɪ̯ʒən/ in IPA).
How do you use “occasion” in a sentence?
Here is “occasion” used in a sentence: “On this occasion, I'll let it slide.”
What part of speech is “occasion”?
Depending on how it is used, “occasion” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “occasion” come from?
The word “occasion” comes from Latin. From Latin occasio, "opportunity, occurrence", from occidere, "to fall down, happen" — from ob- plus cadere ("to fall").
Is “occasion” a common word?
“Occasion” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “occasion” have?
“Occasion” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a particular time when something happens, especially something notable.
What is the difference between occasion and opportunity?
An occasion is a particular time when something happens, especially something notable, or a reason or need for something ("there was no occasion for rudeness"). An opportunity is a favourable chance to do something. An occasion marks when or why something happens; an opportunity is an opening you can take advantage of.
Is it "on occasion" or "on occasions"?
The standard idiom is "on occasion," meaning occasionally or from time to time: "He works late on occasion." "On occasions" is not idiomatic on its own, though "on several occasions" or "on rare occasions" are perfectly correct because they count specific times.
How do you spell occasion — occasion or occassion?
The correct spelling is occasion, with a double c and a single s. "Occassion" and "ocasion" are common misspellings; remembering "two c's, one s" helps.
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