English Explanatory Dictionary

occasion

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A favorable opportunity; a convenient or timely chance.
  2. The time when something happens.
  3. An occurrence or state of affairs which causes some event or reaction; a motive or reason.
  4. Something which causes something else; a cause.
  5. An occurrence or incident.
  6. A particular happening; an instance or time when something occurred.
  7. A need; requirement, necessity.
  8. A special event or function.
  9. A reason or excuse; a motive; a persuasion.
verb
  1. To cause; to produce; to induce

Pronunciation

/əˈkeɪʒən/ en-us-occasion.ogg

Word forms

occasion occasions occasioning occasioned

Etymology

From Middle English occasioun, from Middle French occasion, from Old French occasiun, from Latin occāsiōnem, noun of action from perfect passive participle occāsus, from verb occidō, from prefix ob- (“down", "away”) + verb cadō (“fall”).

Synonyms

event happening affair befalling episode goings-on hap incident occasion occurrence proceeding instant point in time juncture minute moment sith time

Derived words

improve the occasion interoccasion occasional occasionless occasionwear on occasion rise to the occasion social occasion take occasion unoccasioned occasionable occasioner reoccasion
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