Word
happening
Phoneticshap·pen·ing
US/ˈhæpənɪŋ/
UK/hˈæpənɪŋ/
Definitions
01an occurrence
n. something that takes place or occurs.
n. an event or occurrence, often used in the plural to describe general events.
“The local newspaper reported on the strange happenings in the village last night.”
“The historian's latest book provides a meticulous account of the daily happenings within the royal court during the summer of 1789.”
Synonyms
02art performance
n. a type of art show or event that is spontaneous and often involves the audience.
n. a partly improvised or spontaneous performance or event, typically one involving audience participation.
“The artist organized a happening in the park where strangers were invited to paint together.”
“The 1960s avant-garde movement was defined by the 'happening', a form of performance art that challenged the boundaries between creator and spectator.”
Formal
Synonyms
03fashionable or lively
adj. very busy, exciting, or fashionable.
adj. characterized by lively activity, modern trends, or social excitement.
“This new club is the most happening place in the city right now.”
“The district has transformed from a quiet industrial zone into a happening neighborhood filled with galleries and upscale bistros.”
Slang · Informal
Real-World Examples
“Several individual polls have already shown this, but the trend is now clear in poll trackers – datasets using all available published polling to show what is happening with voting intention.” “First OpenAI, now Meta - why do AI hacks keep happening?” “Exoplanets are far too distant to see what is happening on the surface.” “Between 60 and 70 per cent of deaths are happening in communities far from care, a gap that is now central to the World Health Organization's response.” Etymology
From Middle English happenynge, happnynge. By surface analysis, happen + -ing.
From Middle English happenyng, equivalent to happen + -ing. As term used in performance art popularized by Allan Kaprow.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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englishreference.com/q/happening