The meaning of HAPPEN is to occur by chance —often used with it. How to use happen in a sentence.

If a situation or event happens to someone or something, it has an effect on that person or thing:

as it happens/happened used when you say something that is surprising, or something connected with what somebody else has just said I agree with you, as it happens. As it happens, I have a …

1. to take place; come to pass; occur. 2. to come to pass by chance; occur without apparent reason or design. 3. to have the fortune or lot (to do or be as specified); chance: I happened to …

Happen, which originally denoted the taking place by hap or chance, is now the most general word for coming to pass: Something has happened. Chance suggests the accidental nature of …

• He doesn't mind leaving his script and reacting to whatever happens on the night. • But whatever happens, the only certainty is that the crags will never change.

Dec 14, 2025 · happen (third-person singular simple present happens, present participle happening, simple past and past participle happened) Let me tell you how it happened.