happen to

phrasal verb

happened to; happening to; happens to
: to affect or involve (someone or something) as the result of an event or action
An odd thing happened to me on my way to the office last week.
I wonder what/whatever happened to that guy after he lost his job.
especially : to affect (someone or something) in a bad or harmful way
I promise nothing will happen to you.
What happened to the car? There's a big scratch on the fender.

Examples of happen to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That’s exactly what happened to Laura Begley and her fiance, Evan Dresman. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025 Ownership and origins Kennedy is one of six Irish owners, including Audrey Burr, Ciaran Farrelly, Denis McDonagh, Lee McShane and Jordan Brookshire, who is the only non-Irish one of the lot and who also happens to be the chef. Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2025 By Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone. • Ever wonder what happens to the coins tossed into the Trevi Fountain? Richard Deitsch, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025 Jordan Tannahill’s play about a future monarch who happens to be a … well, the word’s in the title. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for happen to 

Dictionary Entries Near happen to

Cite this Entry

“Happen to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happen%20to. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

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