happening

hap-pen-ing · noun, verb, adjective

imported

Definitions

noun, verb, adjective

  1. 1.

    An event or occurrence, especially one that is unusual or significant.

  2. 2.

    Present participle of "happen"; occurring or taking place.

  3. 3.

    (Informal) Fashionable; lively and exciting.

  4. 4.

    A partly improvised or spontaneous artistic or theatrical performance.

Forms

plural: happenings

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    what's happening — A casual greeting asking what someone is doing
  • •
    a happening place — A lively, popular location
  • •
    strange happenings — Unusual or mysterious events

Related words

Antonyms: non-event, outdated
See also: event, happen, occurrence
Synonyms: event, incident, occurrence, trendy

Etymology

From happen + -ing suffix. "Happen" derives from Old Norse happ ("luck, chance"), via Middle English happenen.