happenstance

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English

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Etymology

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Blend of happening +‎ circumstance.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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happenstance (countable and uncountable, plural happenstances)

  1. (uncountable) The chance or random quality of an event or circumstance.
    Synonyms: accident, chance, coincidence, happenchance
    by happenstance
    • 1964, Goldfinger, spoken by James Bond (Sean Connery):
      Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, three times is enemy action.
    • 2001, “People Talkin'”, in MTV Unplugged, performed by Jay-Z:
      Dammit, man this is the gift from God / This ain't happenstance
  2. (countable) A chance or random event or circumstance.
    Our meeting today was a happenstance, but I'm glad we crossed paths.
    the happenstances of life

Derived terms

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Translations

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Further reading

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