occasion

noun

UK /əˈkeɪʒ(ə)n/

Word Forms

singular	occasion
plural	occasions

1
countable a time at which something happens
on one occasion (=once):
On one occasion we had to walk all the way home.
on this occasion:
I’ll let you off on this occasion.
on an earlier occasion:
We tested a similar product on an earlier occasion.
on occasion (=sometimes):
He continues to work with us on occasion.
Synonyms and related words
General words for situations and circumstances
situation
circumstance
conditions
1. 1a
  singular a suitable time for something
  occasion for:
  Her promotion was an occasion for great celebration.
  not the occasion for something (=not an appropriate time for something):
  This is not the occasion for such a detailed analysis.
  occasion for doing something:
  Victory provided him with the occasion for declaring himself king.
  occasion for someone to do something:
  This will be an occasion for us all to make a new start.
  Synonyms and related words
  Moments and short periods of time
  moment
  second
  instant
2. 1b
  countable a special or important time or event
  The first opening of a Scottish parliament for 300 years was a historic occasion.
  special occasion:
  The dress is perfect for a special occasion.
  mark an occasion (=celebrate it):
  We should mark the occasion in some way.
  on the occasion of something (=when something special happens):
  There was a celebration on the occasion of the school’s anniversary.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words meaning event
  episode
  event
  incident
  Synonyms and related words
  Special, unusual or exciting things, events and people
  novelty
  curiosity
  happening
2
singular formala reason for something
have occasion to do something:
I’ve had no occasion to complain about their service.
Synonyms and related words
Reasons and excuses
reason
excuse
point
1. 2a
  a cause of something
  be the occasion of something:
  His mistake was the occasion of much amusement.
  Synonyms and related words
  Causes
  cause
  catalyst
  source

phrases

if/when the occasion arises

a sense of occasion

occasion

noun

US /əˈkeɪʒ(ə)n/

Word Forms

singular	occasion
plural	occasions

1
countable a time at which something happens
on one occasion (=once):
On one occasion we had to walk all the way home.
on an earlier occasion:
We tested a similar product on an earlier occasion.
on occasion (=sometimes):
He continues to work with us on occasion.
Synonyms and related words
General words for situations and circumstances
situation
circumstance
conditions
1. 1a
  singular an appropriate time for something
  occasion for:
  Her promotion was an occasion for great celebration.
  not the occasion for something (=not an appropriate time for something):
  This is not the occasion for such a detailed analysis.
  occasion for doing something:
  Victory provided him with the occasion for declaring himself king.
  occasion for someone to do something:
  This will be an occasion for us all to make a new start.
  Synonyms and related words
  Moments and short periods of time
  moment
  second
  instant
2. 1b
  countable a special or important time or event
  The meeting of the two heads of state was a historic occasion.
  special occasion:
  The dress is perfect for a special occasion.
  mark an occasion (=celebrate it):
  We should mark the occasion in some way.
  on the occasion of something (=when something special happens):
  There was a celebration on the occasion of the school’s anniversary.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words meaning event
  episode
  event
  incident
  Synonyms and related words
  Special, unusual or exciting things, events and people
  novelty
  curiosity
  happening
2
singular formala reason for something
have occasion to do something:
I’ve had no occasion to complain about their service.
Synonyms and related words
Reasons and excuses
reason
excuse
point
1. 2a
  a cause of something
  be the occasion of something:
  His mistake was the occasion of much amusement.
  Synonyms and related words
  Causes
  cause
  catalyst
  source

phrases

if/when the occasion arises

a sense of occasion

occasion

verb transitive formal

UK /əˈkeɪʒ(ə)n/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	occasion
he/she/it	occasions
present participle	occasioning
past tense	occasioned
past participle	occasioned

1
to cause something
These were problems occasioned by the change of economic policy.
occasion someone something:
Their rude attitude occasioned him much distress.
Synonyms and related words
To make something start to exist or happen
bring about
trigger
form

occasion

verb transitive formal

US /əˈkeɪʒ(ə)n/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	occasion
he/she/it	occasions
present participle	occasioning
past tense	occasioned
past participle	occasioned

1
to cause something
These were problems occasioned by the change of economic policy.
occasion someone something:
Their rude attitude occasioned him much distress.
Synonyms and related words
To make something start to exist or happen
bring about
start off
create

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