happen (ˈhæpənn
)
Definitions
verb
- (intr) (of an event in time) to come about or take place; occur
- (intr) 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 England dialect
- another word for perhaps
- ((as sentence modifier) ⇒
happen I'll see thee tomorrow
Word Origin
C14: see hapC14: see 1, , -enC14: see , 1Synonyms
View thesaurus entry=
occur,
take place,
come about,
follow,
result,
appear,
develop,
arise,
come off,
ensue,
crop up,
transpire,
materialize,
present itself
come to pass,
see the light of day,
eventuate,
Translations
- British English:
happen
When something happens, it occurs or is done without being planned.Tell me what happened.ˈhæpn VERB Tell me what happened.
- Spanish:
ocurrir
v
- French:
se passer
vi
- German:
geschehen
v
- Chinese: 发生 v
- Arabic: يَحْدُثُ vi
- Portuguese: acontecer v
- Russian: случаться v
- Croatian: dogoditi se v
- Czech: udát (se) v udávat (se)
- Danish: ske v
- Dutch: gebeuren v
- Finnish: tapahtua v
- Greek: συμβαίνω v
- Italian: accadere v
- Japanese: 起こる v
- Korean: 일어나다 v
- Norwegian: hende v
- Polish: zdarzyć się v zdarzać się
- Brazilian Portuguese: acontecer v
- European Spanish:
ocurrir
v
- Swedish: hända v
- Thai: เกิดขึ้น v
- Turkish: olmak v
- Vietnamese: xảy ra v
Usage examples
Mostly Sam agonized over what he should do and what might happen.
, LIRAEL: DAUGHTER OF THE CLAYR (2001)After all, a lot can happen in 12 months - think what God did in seven days. UP TO 14 ISSUES FREE
Country Life (2004)Anyone with even a whiff of sentiment will hope it won't happen.
Irish Times (2002)In Edinburgh today, under medical sedation, some like to suggest it could happen again.
Glasgow Herald (2001)My neighbour there is a very good woman and I thought nothing bad could happen if I stayed with her.
, BEYOND FEAR (2002)