happenstance

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas
US /ˈhæpənˌstæns/ UK /ˈhap(ə)nˌstans/
noun Freq #50859

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    A chance event; something that happens by luck rather than planning.

    By pure happenstance, they ended up on the same train.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · a chance event; something... accidentchancecoincidence
Word family
Forms happenstances
Derived forms happenstantialhappenstantially

Etymology

Blend of happening + circumstance. Attested from 1855 in US publications.

Topics

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