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happen

v. · adv.
US //ˈhæpən// UK //hˈæpən// hap·pen
  1. 1 to do by chance (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to do something by accident or without planning it.

    to occur or perform an action by chance; typically used in the pattern 'happen to + infinitive'.

    Example

    I happened to see your brother while I was at the supermarket.

    Example

    If you happen to encounter any technical difficulties during the installation, please contact our support team immediately.

    Usage

    Followed by a to-infinitive to indicate a coincidental action.
  2. 2 to be trendy (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    to be very fashionable or popular at the moment.

    to be fashionable, trendy, or exciting; often used in the present continuous to describe a scene or location.

    Example

    This new club is the most happening place in the city right now.

    Example

    The district has transformed from an industrial wasteland into a happening hub for tech startups and independent galleries.

    Teacher's tip

    Usually found in the participial form 'happening' when used as an adjective.
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  1. 3 maybe (adv.)
    C2 Proficiency Dialect Archaic

    a word used in some local areas to mean 'perhaps' or 'maybe'.

    used as a sentence adverb meaning 'perhaps' or 'maybe'.

    Example

    Happen he'll come by later this evening.

    Example

    Happen it's for the best that we didn't take the coastal road during the storm.

    Teacher's tip

    This usage is largely restricted to Northern English dialects and is rarely encountered in standard modern English.
Origin

From Middle English happenen, hapnen, augmented from Middle English happen (“to come to pass, happen”), perhaps from Old English hæppan (“to move accidentally, slip”) and/or from Old Norse happa, heppa, from Proto-Germanic *hampijaną (“to fit in, be fitting”). Equivalent to hap (“a chance, occurrence, byfall”) + -en (verbal suffix).

Idioms4 entries

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