occasion

1 of 2

noun

oc·ca·sion ə-ˈkā-zhən How to pronounce occasion (audio)

: a favorable opportunity or circumstance

did not have occasion to talk with them

: a state of affairs that provides a ground or reason

The occasion of the discord was their mutual intolerance.

: an occurrence or condition that brings something about

especially : the immediate inciting circumstance as distinguished from the fundamental cause

His insulting remark was the occasion of a bitter quarrel.

: happening, incident

Everybody has been terribly kind since my recent sad occasion.

Thomas Kelly

: a time at which something happens : instance

on the occasion of his daughter's wedding

: a need arising from a particular circumstance

knowledge for which he will never have any occasion

C. H. Grandgent

archaic : a personal want or need

—usually used in plural

occasions plural : affairs, business

minded his own occasions and was content for other folk to mind theirs

S. H. Adams

: a special event or ceremony : celebration

birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions

Phrases

on occasion

: from time to time

He lives in the country, though he visits the city on occasion.

Synonyms

Noun

moment
time

Verb

beget
breed
bring
bring about
bring on
catalyze
cause
create
do
draw on
effect
effectuate
engender
generate
induce
invoke
make
produce
prompt
result (in)
spawn
translate (into)
work
yield

See all Synonyms & Antonyms

Example Sentences

Noun When versatility is fashion's best justification, the idea of a beautiful lace blouse or dress that can step up to a special occasion and then look just as good under a man-tailored jacket or a fine-gauge long-line cardigan the next day is persuasive.

S. Mower, Vogue, September 2008 On several occasions, people have observed dark, kilometer-wide bands on the ocean surface as tsunamis approached or passed by …

S. Perkins, Science News, 21 Feb. 2004 Not so long ago, Rolling Stone's David Fricke asked the late Kurt Cobain whom he admired among "established" rock bands. Cobain unhesitatingly named R.E.M., using the occasion to send the band members a virtual mash note for remaining true to their muse and to themselves and for refusing to be swayed by the shifting winds of fashion and commerciality.

Robert Palmer, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 1994 To publish a definitive collection of short stories in one's late 60s seems to me, as an American writer, a traditional and a dignified occasion, eclipsed in no way by the fact that a great many of the stories in my current collection were written in my underwear.

John Cheever, in Ann Charters, The Story and Its Writer, 1987 birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions They marked the occasion with their families. She wrote a song especially for the occasion. Roses are the perfect flower for any occasion. On the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary, they took a vacation to Paris. We had occasion to watch her perform last summer. The boys never had occasion to meet each other. She never found an occasion to suggest her ideas. He took the occasion to make an announcement. Verb It was that desire that occasioned a trip to Berlin this spring: a desire to wander through the city's arty demimonde and to eat beside its residents …

Sam Sifton, New York Times, 22 June 2008 "I made bow ties," Sally says very assuredly, after the long silence occasioned by my unwanted kiss, during which we both realized we are not about to head upstairs for any fun.

Richard Ford, Independence Day, 1996 the announcement concerning the change in scheduling occasioned much confusion See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Rising to the distinctive occasion that meant the winner Sunday would be the world No. 1, Alcaraz fired 55 winners, won 34 points at the net, and had emphatic responses to Ruud’s tricky topspin shots.

Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2022 Several Peoria Unified School District communities joined Desert Harbor in marking the occasion.

Renata Cló, The Arizona Republic, 11 Sep. 2022 During special occasion meals, sometimes the sides get neglected.

Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2022 On Saturday, Queen Elizabeth II’s body will be moved to Holyrood, her residence in Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, as the solemn occasion will give way to the rites of ascension for King Charles III.

Matthew Mulligan, NBC News, 10 Sep. 2022 While denim overalls have had a recent resurgence around Hollywood, Garner's boilersuit is a tad dressier and can be styled so many different ways depending on the occasion or season.

Alex Warner, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2022 The occasion was feted with a 60-person dinner—with many more joining for the dance party that followed—at The Nines, where The Attico's calling card plumage, paillettes, and animal prints were on full display.

Zoe Ruffner, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2022 On the night Real Salt Lake unveiled a new name for its home stadium, the familiar face — and outstretched arms — of goalkeeper David Ochoa forced RSL to celebrate the occasion with a scoreless draw.

Aaron Falk, The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 Sep. 2022 For the flashy occasion, both wore head-turning sparkling gowns.

Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 10 Sep. 2022

Verb

The book is unlikely to occasion surprise for readers of Murray’s other books, including The Madness ...

Peter Wood, National Review, 12 May 2022 Whatever Greene or Gosar is saying or doing at the moment doesn't occasion much chatter in their districts.

Chris Cillizza, CNN, 31 Mar. 2022 Feldman’s thought-provoking case for a stark rupture in Union war aims will surely occasion lively debate.

Washington Post, 12 Nov. 2021 Elliot shared my feeling that human composting’s greater promise is its potential to occasion a paradigm shift in our relationship to all life.

Lisa Wells, Harper's Magazine, 28 Sep. 2021 The existence of Ross’s book and others like it — and the brutal events that occasion them — suggest the attainment of that goal is still more than 20 years away.

BostonGlobe.com, 1 July 2021 The next step is a Senate floor vote, which may occasion Democrats’ first official challenge to the Senate filibuster.

Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 13 May 2021 The ex-royal couple have enough wit to understand that their own hardships don’t occasion many tears outside their lachrymose celebrity friends.

Gerard Baker, WSJ, 8 Mar. 2021 Most Democratic candidates have negotiated the problem reasonably well, although extreme anti-Israel outliers from safe districts, such as Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, can occasion some awkwardness for their congressional colleagues.

Barton Swaim, WSJ, 16 Dec. 2020 See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English occasioun "opportunity, inducement, grounds or justification, occurrence," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French occasion, borrowed from Medieval Latin occāsiōn-, occāsiō "opportunity, circumstance, cause, pretext," going back to Latin, "convenient circumstances, opportunity," from oc-cad-, base of occidere "to be struck down, die, sink below the horizon" + -tiōn- -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at occident

Note: Though Latin occāsiō is formally a derivative of occidere, it does not reflect the meaning of that verb; for the sense cf. other derivatives of cadere "to fall," as accidere "to happen" (see accident) and cāsus "occurrence, chance" (see case entry 1). The verbal noun corresponding semantically to occidere is occāsus "sinking (of the sun), downfall, decline."

Verb

Middle English occasionen, borrowed from Medieval Latin occāsiōnāre, derivative of occāsiōn-, occāsiō occasion entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

单词	occasioning
释义	occasion 1 of 2 noun oc·ca·sion ə-ˈkā-zhən 1 : a favorable opportunity or circumstance did not have occasion to talk with them 2 a : a state of affairs that provides a ground or reason The occasion of the discord was their mutual intolerance. b : an occurrence or condition that brings something about especially : the immediate inciting circumstance as distinguished from the fundamental cause His insulting remark was the occasion of a bitter quarrel. 3 a : happening, incident Everybody has been terribly kind since my recent sad occasion. Thomas Kelly b : a time at which something happens : instance on the occasion of his daughter's wedding 4 a : a need arising from a particular circumstance knowledge for which he will never have any occasion C. H. Grandgent b archaic : a personal want or need —usually used in plural 5 occasions plural : affairs, business minded his own occasions and was content for other folk to mind theirs S. H. Adams 6 : a special event or ceremony : celebration birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions occasion 2 of 2 verb occasioned; occasioning ə-ˈkā-zh(ə-)niŋ transitive verb : bring about, cause Phrases on occasion : from time to time He lives in the country, though he visits the city on occasion. Synonyms Noun moment time Verb beget breed bring bring about bring on catalyze cause create do draw on effect effectuate engender generate induce invoke make produce prompt result (in) spawn translate (into) work yield See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun When versatility is fashion's best justification, the idea of a beautiful lace blouse or dress that can step up to a special occasion and then look just as good under a man-tailored jacket or a fine-gauge long-line cardigan the next day is persuasive. S. Mower, Vogue, September 2008 On several occasions, people have observed dark, kilometer-wide bands on the ocean surface as tsunamis approached or passed by … S. Perkins, Science News, 21 Feb. 2004 Not so long ago, Rolling Stone's David Fricke asked the late Kurt Cobain whom he admired among "established" rock bands. Cobain unhesitatingly named R.E.M., using the occasion to send the band members a virtual mash note for remaining true to their muse and to themselves and for refusing to be swayed by the shifting winds of fashion and commerciality. Robert Palmer, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 1994 To publish a definitive collection of short stories in one's late 60s seems to me, as an American writer, a traditional and a dignified occasion, eclipsed in no way by the fact that a great many of the stories in my current collection were written in my underwear. John Cheever, in Ann Charters, The Story and Its Writer, 1987 birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions They marked the occasion with their families. She wrote a song especially for the occasion. Roses are the perfect flower for any occasion. On the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary, they took a vacation to Paris. We had occasion to watch her perform last summer. The boys never had occasion to meet each other. She never found an occasion to suggest her ideas. He took the occasion to make an announcement. Verb It was that desire that occasioned a trip to Berlin this spring: a desire to wander through the city's arty demimonde and to eat beside its residents … Sam Sifton, New York Times, 22 June 2008 "I made bow ties," Sally says very assuredly, after the long silence occasioned by my unwanted kiss, during which we both realized we are not about to head upstairs for any fun. Richard Ford, Independence Day, 1996 the announcement concerning the change in scheduling occasioned much confusion See More Recent Examples on the Web Noun Rising to the distinctive occasion that meant the winner Sunday would be the world No. 1, Alcaraz fired 55 winners, won 34 points at the net, and had emphatic responses to Ruud’s tricky topspin shots. Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2022 Several Peoria Unified School District communities joined Desert Harbor in marking the occasion. Renata Cló, The Arizona Republic, 11 Sep. 2022 During special occasion meals, sometimes the sides get neglected. Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2022 On Saturday, Queen Elizabeth II’s body will be moved to Holyrood, her residence in Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, as the solemn occasion will give way to the rites of ascension for King Charles III. Matthew Mulligan, NBC News, 10 Sep. 2022 While denim overalls have had a recent resurgence around Hollywood, Garner's boilersuit is a tad dressier and can be styled so many different ways depending on the occasion or season. Alex Warner, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2022 The occasion was feted with a 60-person dinner—with many more joining for the dance party that followed—at The Nines, where The Attico's calling card plumage, paillettes, and animal prints were on full display. Zoe Ruffner, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2022 On the night Real Salt Lake unveiled a new name for its home stadium, the familiar face — and outstretched arms — of goalkeeper David Ochoa forced RSL to celebrate the occasion with a scoreless draw. Aaron Falk, The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 Sep. 2022 For the flashy occasion, both wore head-turning sparkling gowns. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 10 Sep. 2022 Verb The book is unlikely to occasion surprise for readers of Murray’s other books, including The Madness ... Peter Wood, National Review, 12 May 2022 Whatever Greene or Gosar is saying or doing at the moment doesn't occasion much chatter in their districts. Chris Cillizza, CNN, 31 Mar. 2022 Feldman’s thought-provoking case for a stark rupture in Union war aims will surely occasion lively debate. Washington Post, 12 Nov. 2021 Elliot shared my feeling that human composting’s greater promise is its potential to occasion a paradigm shift in our relationship to all life. Lisa Wells, Harper's Magazine, 28 Sep. 2021 The existence of Ross’s book and others like it — and the brutal events that occasion them — suggest the attainment of that goal is still more than 20 years away. BostonGlobe.com, 1 July 2021 The next step is a Senate floor vote, which may occasion Democrats’ first official challenge to the Senate filibuster. Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 13 May 2021 The ex-royal couple have enough wit to understand that their own hardships don’t occasion many tears outside their lachrymose celebrity friends. Gerard Baker, WSJ, 8 Mar. 2021 Most Democratic candidates have negotiated the problem reasonably well, although extreme anti-Israel outliers from safe districts, such as Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, can occasion some awkwardness for their congressional colleagues. Barton Swaim, WSJ, 16 Dec. 2020 See More Word History Etymology Noun Middle English occasioun "opportunity, inducement, grounds or justification, occurrence," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French occasion, borrowed from Medieval Latin occāsiōn-, occāsiō "opportunity, circumstance, cause, pretext," going back to Latin, "convenient circumstances, opportunity," from oc-cad-, base of occidere "to be struck down, die, sink below the horizon" + -tiōn- -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at occident Note: Though Latin occāsiō is formally a derivative of occidere, it does not reflect the meaning of that verb; for the sense cf. other derivatives of cadere "to fall," as accidere "to happen" (see accident) and cāsus "occurrence, chance" (see case entry 1). The verbal noun corresponding semantically to occidere is occāsus "sinking (of the sun), downfall, decline." Verb Middle English occasionen, borrowed from Medieval Latin occāsiōnāre, derivative of occāsiōn-, occāsiō occasion entry 1 First Known Use Noun 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb 15th century, in the meaning defined above Phrases Containing occasion rise to the occasion/challenge on occasion rise to the occasion/challenge on occasion Kids Definition occasion 1 of 2 noun oc·ca·sion ə-ˈkā-zhən 1 : a special event The banquet was an elegant occasion. 2 : the time of an event This has happened on more than one occasion. 3 : a suitable opportunity : a good chance Take the first occasion to write. occasion 2 of 2 verb occasioned; occasioning : to bring about … I found the point of the rocks which occasioned this disaster … Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe occasioning verb present participle of occasion as in causing to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind) the announcement concerning the change in scheduling occasioned much confusion Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance causing prompting creating generating bringing producing spawning inducing effecting doing engendering yielding catalyzing invoking making effectuating begetting working bringing about inaugurating breeding bringing on bringing forth drawing on introducing encouraging initiating promoting giving rise to beginning furthering launching determining instituting establishing translating (into) resulting (in) pioneering fostering founding developing rendering enacting deciding forwarding starting cultivating advancing fathering innovating conducing (to) contributing (to) nourishing nurturing setting setting up turning out Antonyms & Near Antonyms limiting impeding restricting crushing quelling suppressing quashing subduing stifling controlling repressing restraining dampening inhibiting retarding smothering squelching curbing squashing arresting checking killing destroying reining (in) extinguishing stilling abolishing putting down quenching clamping down (on) cracking down (on) demolishing liquidating canning snuffing (out) See More
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occasion

noun

verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing occasion

Kids Definition

noun

verb

verb