happen

[ hap-uhn ]
/ ˈhæp ən /

verb (used without object)

Origin of happen

First recorded in 1300–50, happen is from the Middle English word hap(pe)nen. See hap1, -en1

SYNONYMS FOR happen

1 betide. Happen, chance, occur refer to the taking place of an event. Happen, which originally denoted the taking place by hap or chance, is now the most general word for coming to pass: Something has happened. Chance suggests the accidental nature of an event: It chanced to rain that day. Occur is often interchangeable with happen, but is more formal, and is usually more specific as to time and event: His death occurred the following year.

British Dictionary definitions for happen on (1 of 2)

happen on

happen upon


verb

(intr, preposition) to find by chance I happened upon a five-pound note lying in the street

British Dictionary definitions for happen on (2 of 2)

happen
/ (ˈhæpən) /

verb

(intr) (of an event in time) to come about or take place; occur
(intr foll by to) (of some unforeseen circumstance or event, esp death), to fall to the lot (of); be a source of good or bad fortune (to) if anything happens to me, it'll be your fault
(tr) to chance (to be or do something) I happen to know him
(tr; takes a clause as object) to be the case, esp if by chance, that it happens that I know him

adverb, sentence substitute

Northern English dialect
  1. another word for perhaps
  2. (as sentence modifier)happen I'll see thee tomorrow

Word Origin for happen

C14: see hap 1, -en 1

undefined happen

See occur