happening (ˈhæpənɪŋ
;ˈhæpnɪŋ)
Definitions
noun
- an occurrence; event
- an improvised or spontaneous display or performance consisting of bizarre and haphazard events
adjective
- informal fashionable and up-to-the-minute
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry=
event,
incident,
occasion,
case,
experience,
chance,
affair,
scene,
accident,
proceeding,
episode,
adventure,
phenomenon,
occurrence,
escapade,
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,
Usage examples
The sergeant must have told him what was happening , or what little he knew, at any rate.
, TREASON KEEP (2001)What is happening is something farmers just have to live with.
Country Life (2004)But the laity are angry and ashamed at what is happening to their church.
Irish Times (2002)We'll be getting back to Mr Stewart this week to find out what's happening.
Glasgow Herald (2001)Yet data to the ongoing confidential inquiry reveal that such deaths are still happening.
, BEYOND FEAR (2002)