happen

Reading level: easy

Estimated CEFR level: A1 — Beginner

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb come to pass
  2. verb happen, occur, or be the case in the course of events or by chance; ; (Santayana)
  3. verb chance to be or do something, without intention or causation

Etymology

From Middle English happenen, hapnen, augmented from Middle English happen (“to come to pass, happen”), perhaps from Old English hæppan (“to move accidentally, slip”) and/or from Old Norse *happa, *heppa, from Proto-Germanic *hampijaną (“to fit in, be fitting”). Equivalent to hap (“a chance, occurrence, byfall”) + -en (verbal suffix).

In classic literature

Synonyms

hap, go on, pass off, occur, pass, fall out, come about, take place

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