happenstance
noun
hap·pen·stance
ˈha-pən-ˌstan(t)s 
ˈha-pᵊm-
: a circumstance especially that is due to chance
They came together by mere happenstance.
happenstance
adjective
Examples of happenstance in a Sentence
Our meeting was pure happenstance.
We met each other by happenstance.
It was an agreeable happenstance that we met.
Recent Examples on the Web
Some were fans of Spangler's work, some were simply fans of estate sales and some stumbled across the crowd by happenstance.
—
Kylie Volavongsa, jsonline.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Some people seem to think that the emotional wording in contemporary generative AI is simply by happenstance, or maybe the AI has reached sentience.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
By happenstance, one of his letters is intercepted by Julia Moriston, a razor-sharp woman who has put her education on hold to work at the Postal and Telegraph Censorship Office.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 31 July 2025
By happenstance, his manager at the time was Sharon’s dad.
—Erik Hedegaard, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kylie Volavongsa, jsonline.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Some people seem to think that the emotional wording in contemporary generative AI is simply by happenstance, or maybe the AI has reached sentience.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
By happenstance, one of his letters is intercepted by Julia Moriston, a razor-sharp woman who has put her education on hold to work at the Postal and Telegraph Censorship Office.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 31 July 2025
By happenstance, his manager at the time was Sharon’s dad.
—Erik Hedegaard, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
Cite this Entry
“Happenstance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happenstance. Accessed 9 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share