happened; happening
ˈha-pə-niŋ 
ˈhap-niŋ
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
4
a
: to meet or discover something by chance
happened upon a system that worked—
Richard Corbin
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
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.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 23 Nov. 2024
Did something happen between him and Little Richard?
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Nov. 2024
However, even for a slow jog, that’s exactly what happened.
—Caleb Harris, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
What are your feelings on the way sampling is happening in hip-hop and pop right now?
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for happen 
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Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 23 Nov. 2024
Did something happen between him and Little Richard?
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Nov. 2024
However, even for a slow jog, that’s exactly what happened.
—Caleb Harris, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
What are your feelings on the way sampling is happening in hip-hop and pop right now?
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for happen
Dictionary Entries Near happen
Cite this Entry
“Happen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happen. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
happen
verb
hap·pen
ˈhap-ən
ˈhap-ᵊm
happened; happening
ˈhap-(ə-)niŋ
1
: to occur or come about by chance
2
: to take place : occur
3
: to have occasion or opportunity
happened to overhear
4
a
: to meet or find something by chance
happened upon the right answer
b
: to appear casually or by chance
happened into the room just as the music started
5
: to come by way of injury or harm
nothing will happen to you
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