happened; happening
ˈhap-niŋ 
ˈha-pə-
1
: to occur by chance
—often used with it
it so happens I'm going your way
2
: to come into being or occur as an event, process, or result
mistakes will happen
3
: to do, encounter, or attain something by or as if by chance
I happen to know the answer
4
a
: to meet or discover something by chance
happened upon a system that worked—
Richard Corbin
Richard Corbin
b
: to come or go casually : make a chance appearance
he might happen by at any time
5
: to come especially by way of injury or harm
I promise nothing will happen to you
Synonyms
Examples of happen in a Sentence
Something like that was bound to happen sooner or later.
You never know what's going to happen when they get together.
What happened at school today?
“What's happening?” “They're installing new equipment.”
Recent Examples on the Web
That's what happened at the SVA Theatre, where Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Steve Carell, Matt Damon and more stepped out on May 13 to debut the movie If.
—Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 14 May 2024
The report said this happens even while aid groups are in constant communication with Israeli officials about coordinates.
—Hadeel Al-Shalchi, NPR, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for happen 
Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 14 May 2024
The report said this happens even while aid groups are in constant communication with Israeli officials about coordinates.
—Hadeel Al-Shalchi, NPR, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for happen
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'happen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near happen
Cite this Entry
“Happen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happen. Accessed 17 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
happen
verb
hap·pen
ˈhap-ən
ˈhap-ᵊm
happened; happening
ˈhap-(ə-)niŋ
1
: to occur or come about by chance
2
: to take place : occur
3
: to have occasion or opportunity
happened to overhear
4
a
: to meet or find something by chance
happened upon the right answer
b
: to appear casually or by chance
happened into the room just as the music started
5
: to come by way of injury or harm
nothing will happen to you
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