/hap"euhn/ , v.i.
1. to take place; come to pass; occur: Something interesting is always happening in New York.
2. to come to pass by chance; occur without apparent reason or design: Don't ask me what caused it - it just happened, that's all.
3. to have the fortune or lot (to do or be as specified); chance: I happened to see him on the street.
4. to befall, as to a person or thing: Something dreadful has happened to me.
5. to meet or discover by chance (usually fol. by on or upon ): to happen on a clue to a mystery.
6. to be, come, go, etc., casually or by chance: My friend happened along.
7. Slang. to be very exciting or interesting: That party was happening!
[ 1300-50; ME hap ( pe ) nen. See HAP 1 , -EN 1 ]
Syn. 1. betide. HAPPEN, CHANCE, OCCUR refer to the taking place of an event. 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 an event: It chanced to rain that day. OCCUR is often interchangeable with HAPPEN, but is more formal, and is usually more specific as to time and event: His death occurred the following year.