happenstance
nounUS /ˈhæpənˌstæns/ · UK /ˈhap(ə)nˌstans/
Etymology Blend of happening + circumstance. Attested from 1855 in US publications.
1
The chance or random quality of an event or circumstance.
- by happenstance
- Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, three times is enemy action.1964, Goldfinger, spoken by James Bond (Sean Connery):
1 more example
- Dammit, man this is the gift from God / This ain't happenstance2001, “People Talkin'”, in MTV Unplugged, performed by Jay-Z:
2
A chance or random event or circumstance.
- Our meeting today was a happenstance, but I'm glad we crossed paths.
- the happenstances of life
1 more example
- So the orthography of many of our words is the result of a mere happenstance[…]1855 March 31, “Sketch of Mr William Denton's Address at the Ohio State Phonetic Institution, 29th December, 1854”, in The Phonetic Journal, volume 14, Frederick Pitman, page 148:
- Derived terms
- happenstantial, happenstantially