happening - an event that happens event - something that happens at a given place and time avalanche - a sudden appearance of an overwhelming number of things; "the program brought an avalanche of mail" experience - an event as apprehended; "a surprising experience"; "that painful experience certainly got our attention" trouble - an event causing distress or pain; "what is the trouble?"; "heart trouble" treat - an occurrence that causes special pleasure or delight miracle - any amazing or wonderful occurrence marvel, wonder - something that causes feelings of wonder; "the wonders of modern science" thing - an event; "a funny thing happened on the way to the..." episode - a happening that is distinctive in a series of related events beginning - the event consisting of the start of something; "the beginning of the war" conclusion, ending, finish - event whose occurrence ends something; "his death marked the ending of an era"; "when these final episodes are broadcast it will be the finish of the show" one-off - a happening that occurs only once and is not repeated alteration, change, modification - an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another; "the change was intended to increase sales"; "this storm is certainly a change for the worse"; "the neighborhood had undergone few modifications since his last visit years ago" computer error, error - (computer science) the occurrence of an incorrect result produced by a computer chance event, fortuity, accident, stroke - anything that happens suddenly or by chance without an apparent cause; "winning the lottery was a happy accident"; "the pregnancy was a stroke of bad luck"; "it was due to an accident or fortuity" fire - the event of something burning (often destructive); "they lost everything in the fire" case, instance, example - an occurrence of something; "it was a case of bad judgment"; "another instance occurred yesterday"; "but there is always the famous example of the Smiths" motion, movement - a natural event that involves a change in the position or location of something failure - an event that does not accomplish its intended purpose; "the surprise party was a complete failure" success - an event that accomplishes its intended purpose; "let's call heads a success and tails a failure"; "the election was a remarkable success for the Whigs" destiny, fate - an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future disappearance - ceasing to exist; "he regretted the disappearance of Greek from school curricula"; "what was responsible for the disappearance of the rainforest?"; "the disappearance of resistance at very low temperatures" impinging, striking, contact - the physical coming together of two or more things; "contact with the pier scraped paint from the hull" finish - designated event that concludes a contest (especially a race); "excitement grew as the finish neared"; "my horse was several lengths behind at the finish"; "the winner is the team with the most points at the finish" collapse - a natural event caused by something suddenly falling down or caving in; "the roof is in danger of collapse"; "the collapse of the old star under its own gravity" break, interruption - some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity; "the telephone is an annoying interruption"; "there was a break in the action when a player was hurt" sound - the sudden occurrence of an audible event; "the sound awakened them" union - the occurrence of a uniting of separate parts; "lightning produced an unusual union of the metals" flash - a sudden intense burst of radiant energy convergence - the occurrence of two or more things coming together |