happening

1 of 2

noun

hap·​pen·​ing ˈha-pə-niŋ 

ˈhap-niŋ

1

: something that happens : occurrence

2

: an event or series of events designed to evoke a spontaneous reaction to sensory, emotional, or spiritual stimuli

3

: something (such as an event) that is particularly interesting, entertaining, or important

happening

2 of 2

adjective

1

: very fashionable : in

a happening hairstyle

2

: offering much stimulating activity

a happening dance club

Synonyms

Noun

• adventure
• emprise
• experience
• exploit
• gest
• geste
• time

Adjective

• à la mode
• a la mode
• au courant
• chic
• cool [slang]
• exclusive
• fashionable
• fresh [slang]
• hip
• in
• modish
• sharp
• smart
• snappy
• stylish
• supercool
• swell
• swish
• trendy
• voguish

Examples of happening in a Sentence

Noun

the President's visit to the school was a real happening for teachers and students alike

gave a detailed account of all the happenings of the weekend

Adjective

This is quite a happening town on the weekends.

those are some happening duds, man

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For example, my company not only makes having fun in NYC affordable but also works to be a source of all the cool happenings in the city. —Vikram Joshi, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

October marks the multi-day Barbados Food and Rum Festival, an increasingly buzzy event with an impressive lineup of happenings scheduled around the island. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2024

Adjective

While the overarching trend for fall is still lowest maintenance possible, there's a bit more happening than your typical sunny blondes and balayage brunettes. —Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2020

What was once a sleepy college town next to a railroad stop is now one of the most happening cities in the state of Texas. —Craig Hlavaty, Houston Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

happening

noun

hap·​pen·​ing

1

: something that happens : occurrence

2

: an event that is especially interesting, entertaining, or important