happen
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to do something by accident or without planning it.
v.to occur or perform an action by chance; typically used in the pattern 'happen to + infinitive'.
Simple“I happened to see your brother while I was at the supermarket.”
In context“If you happen to encounter any technical difficulties during the installation, please contact our support team immediately.”
UsageFollowed by a to-infinitive to indicate a coincidental action.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
v.to be very fashionable or popular at the moment.
v.to be fashionable, trendy, or exciting; often used in the present continuous to describe a scene or location.
Simple“This new club is the most happening place in the city right now.”
In context“The district has transformed from an industrial wasteland into a happening hub for tech startups and independent galleries.”
Teacher's tipUsually found in the participial form 'happening' when used as an adjective.
Synonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
adv.a word used in some local areas to mean 'perhaps' or 'maybe'.
adv.used as a sentence adverb meaning 'perhaps' or 'maybe'.
Simple“Happen he'll come by later this evening.”
In context“Happen it's for the best that we didn't take the coastal road during the storm.”
Teacher's tipThis usage is largely restricted to Northern English dialects and is rarely encountered in standard modern English.
Usage happen next · happens again · happen every year
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).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.