Definitions

happen

[hap-uhn] / ˈhæp ən /

VERB

come to pass; occur

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appear arise arrive crop up develop fall go on hit materialize meet pass result take effect take place transpire

STRONG

befall betide bump chance down ensue eventuate follow issue light proceed recur shake smoke spring stumble supervene

WEAK

be found become a fact become known become of come about come after come into being come into existence come off luck present itself stumble upon turn out turn up what goes

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cease disappear fail halt lose stop

STRONG

precede

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Haggis tacos sound like something that has to happen...

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2026

I hope that something between me and her can happen sometime.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026

The entire world community was working to make this happen.

From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026

A glut may or may not happen, and calling it an oversupply likely assumes that the next year runs in a straight line, which energy markets almost never do, she added.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 25, 2026

It won’t happen again, I tell myself because I need to tell myself this.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words