First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
happen
verb hap·pen \ˈha-pən, -pəm\
: to take place especially without being planned
: to do or be something by chance
—used with it to describe something that occurs by chance
hap·penedhap·pen·ing \ˈhap-niŋ, ˈha-pə-\
Full Definition of HAPPEN
intransitive verb
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> 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>
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Origin of HAPPEN
Middle English, from hap
Related to HAPPEN
HAPPEN Defined for Kids
happen
verb hap·pen \ˈha-pən\
hap·penedhap·pen·ing
Definition of HAPPEN for Kids
1
: to take place <Stop crying and tell me what happened.>
2
: to occur or come about by chance <It just so happens I know them.>
3
: to do or be by chance <I happened to overhear this.>
4
: to come especially by way of injury or harm <Nothing will happen to you.>
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