happen

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   come to pass

   What is happening?

2. 2
   verb

   happen, occur, or be the case in the course of events or by chance

   It happens that today is my birthday

3. 3
   verb

   chance to be or do something, without intention or causation

   I happen to have just what you need!

4. 4
   verb

   To occur or take place.

   Let me tell you how it happened.

5. 5
   verb

   To happen to; to befall.

   'By my soul! I believe something bad has happened me,' he muttered, and popped up his window, and looked out, half dreaming over the church-yard on the park beyond […]

6. 6
   verb

   To do or occur by chance or unexpectedly.

   Take an umbrella in case it happens to rain.

7. 7
   verb

   To encounter by chance.

   Unexpectedly, in a nook close by the farmhouse, he happened upon a spot where the vintage had actually commenced.

8. 8
   adv

   maybe, perhaps.

   Yeah, well happen if he'd gone quietly, she wouldn't have needed to show him who's in charge.

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).