Learn the meaning and correct usage of "happens". Our guide provides clear grammar rules and real-world examples from authoritative sources to help you write with confidence. to take place; come to pass; occur. to come to pass by chance; occur without apparent reason or design. to have the fortune or lot (to do or be as specified); chance: I happened to see him on the … Happen, chance, occur refer to the taking place of an event. As it happens, I have a spare set of … What is a basic definition of happen? Happen means to occur, to come to pass by chance, or to befall someone or something. Happen has several other senses as a verb. Happen is a very general word that … Apr 29, 2026 · happen (third-person singular simple present happens, present participle happening, simple past and past participle happened) (intransitive) To occur or take place. When something happens, it occurs or is done without being planned. Tell me what happened.