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Added 9 October 2026

happenstance

/ˈhap(ə)nˌstɑːns/ noun

Categories: ActionsRare Words

In Latin: accidentia Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about happenstance at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. The chance or random quality of an event or circumstance.
    by happenstance
  2. A chance or random event or circumstance.
    Our meeting today was a happenstance, but I'm glad we crossed paths.

Origin

Blend of happening + circumstance. Attested from 1855 in US publications.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Related Words: coincidencechancecontingencyrandomityfortuitycasualtyaccidentalnessrandomicityoccasionalitylikelihoodrandominitycasualism

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