[hap-uh n] /ˈhæp ən/

verb (used without object)
to take place; come to pass; occur:
Something interesting is always happening in New York.
Don’t ask me what caused it—it just happened, that’s all.
I happened to see him on the street.
to befall, as to a person or thing:
Something dreadful has happened to me.
to happen on a clue to a mystery.
My friend happened along.
Slang. to be very exciting or interesting:
That party was happening!
adverb, sentence substitute
(Northern English, dialect)


c.1300, “to come to pass, occur,” originally “occur by hap, to have the (good or bad) fortune (to do, be, etc.);” see hap (n.). Replaced Old English gelimpan, gesceon, and Middle English befall. In Middle English fel it hap meant “it happened.” Related: Happened; happening.


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