happenstance

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˈhæpənˌstæns/ UK /ˈhap(ə)nˌstans/ See IPA manual

Freq #50859

Meanings

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... accident chance coincidence

Word family

Forms happenstances

Derived forms happenstantialhappenstantially

Etymology

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

Topics

Abstract Ideas

External links

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