Word
occasion
Phoneticsoc·ca·sion, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈkeɪʒən/
UK/əkˈeɪʒən/
Definitions
01a specific time
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a particular time or instance when something happens.
n. a particular time or instance of an event occurring.
日本語:時※
“I have met her on several occasions, but we have never really spoken.”
“On several occasions, the manager had warned the staff about the importance of securing the building before leaving at night.”
Usage
Commonly used with the preposition 'on'.
Pitfall
I have met him in many occasions.
I have met him on many occasions.
Use the preposition 'on' with 'occasion', not 'in'.
02a special event
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a special or important event, such as a wedding or a big celebration.
n. a special event, ceremony, or celebration, often implying a degree of formality.
“A graduation is a great occasion for the whole family to get together.”
“The opening of the new gallery was a grand occasion, attended by local dignitaries and famous artists from across the country.”
Usage
Often modified by adjectives like 'special', 'formal', or 'grand'.
Synonyms
03a reason or cause
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Formal
n. a reason or a cause for doing something.
n. a reason, cause, or justification for a particular action or feeling.
日本語:きっかけ※
“There is no occasion for you to be so rude to the waiter.”
“The CEO stated that there was no occasion for alarm, despite the recent fluctuations in the global stock market.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'no occasion to' or 'no occasion for'.
04to cause
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to cause something to happen.
v. to bring about or cause something, especially a feeling or a reaction.
“The sudden change in the weather occasioned a delay in our travel plans.”
“The publication of the controversial report occasioned a heated debate among members of the scientific community.”
Usage
This is a transitive verb and always requires a direct object.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “occasion” in context.
Adjective
01. separate occasion
“I have met him on three separate occasions this month.”
adj + noun
Etymology
From Middle English occasioun, from Middle French occasion, from Old French occasiun, from Latin occāsiōnem, noun of action from perfect passive participle occāsus, from verb occidō, from prefix ob- (“down", "away”) + verb cadō (“fall”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
02. take occasion
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/occasion
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0