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happen

hap·pen

happen

 
 
pronunciation:
hae pn
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Grammatical Patterns
part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: happens, happening, happened
definition 1: to take place; occur.
Many accidents have happened at this street corner.We can't predict what will happen in our lives.You broke your leg? When did that happen?
synonyms:
come to pass, fall, occur, pass, take place
similar words:
arise, be, befall, betide, come, ensue, eventuate, transpire
definition 2: to occur or take place by chance or coincidence.
These things happen; there isn't always a reason.
synonyms:
chance
definition 3: to encounter by chance (usu. fol. by "on" or "upon").
I happened upon him this morning in the park.
synonyms:
chance, stumble
similar words:
bump into, come, hit, run across
definition 4: to have the accidental lot, luck, or misfortune (to be in a specified situation or do something specified); chance.
A deer just happened to be in the road at the moment we came around the curve.[verb + infinitive ] My next door neighbor and I happened to get seats right next to each other on the plane.[verb + infinitive ] Aren't we lucky? I just happen to have a cork screw in my pocket.[verb + infinitive ] It happened that he and his ex-wife had both reserved tables at the restaurant on the same night.[it + verb + that + clause ] The cafe was extremely busy, but there happened to be a table just opening up as we arrived.[there + verb + to be/infinitive ]
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