- happen
- hap•pen[[t]ˈhæp ən[/t]] v. i.1) to take place; come to pass; occur2) to come to pass by chance; occur without apparent reason or design3) to have the fortune or lot (to do or be as specified); chance:I happened to see him on the street[/ex]4) to befall, as to a person or thing:Don't worry; nothing happened to her[/ex]5) to meet or discover by chance (usu. fol. by on or upon):to happen on a clue to a mystery[/ex]6) to be, come, go, etc., casually or by chance:My friend happened along[/ex]7) sts sl. to be very exciting or interesting:That party was happening![/ex]•Etymology: 1300–50; ME hap(pe) nen. See hap, -en I
From formal English to slang. 2014.