Happen meaning

What does “happen” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“happen” is a verb with 5 meanings. Its most common meaning is: come to pass.

happen

come to pass
“What is happening?”
“The meeting took place off without an incidence”
Synonymshap go on pass off occur pass fall out come about take place
happen, occur, or be the case in the course of events or by chance (Santayana)
“It happens that today is my birthday”
“These things befell”
Synonymsbefall bechance
chance to be or do something, without intention or causation
“I happen to have just what you need!”
come into being; become reality
“Her dream really materialized”
Synonymsmaterialize materialise
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
“We find this idea in Plato”
“I happened upon the most wonderful bakery not very far from here”
Synonymsfind chance bump encounter

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University