nonhappening

noun

non·​hap·​pen·​ing ˌnän-ˈhap-niŋ 

-ˈha-pə-

1

: failure to happen

A debt is contingent if the debtor's liability is determined by the happening or nonhappening of a future event.

—John H. Williamson

2

a

: something that does not happen

But perhaps the most important happening in this offseason was a nonhappening: not one of the NASL's 24 franchises folded or moved.

—John Feinstein

b

: something (such as an event) that is not interesting, entertaining, or important

… it was a late-night match, not televised, past most newspaper deadlines, therefore practically a nonhappening except for those in attendance.

—Bud Collins

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1