on occasion

oc·ca·sion

 (ə-kā′zhən)

n.

1. An event or happening, or the time of an event or happening: On several occasions, we saw him riding a motorcycle.

2. A significant event, especially a large or important social gathering: The reception proved to be quite the occasion.

3. A favorable or appropriate time or juncture: saw the layoff as an occasion to change careers. See Synonyms at opportunity.

4.

a. A cause of or reason for something: a trade disagreement that furnished the occasion for war. See Synonyms at cause.

b. A need created by a particular circumstance: "He must buy what he has little occasion for" (Laurence Sterne).

5. occasions Archaic Personal requirements or necessities.

tr.v. oc·ca·sioned, oc·ca·sion·ing, oc·ca·sions

To provide occasion for; cause: "The broadcast and its immediate aftermath occasioned a cascade of media commentary" (Lewis Sorley).

Idioms:

on occasion

From time to time; now and then.

rise to the occasion

To find the ability to deal with an unexpected challenge.

take the occasion

To make use of the opportunity (to do something).

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[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin occāsiō, occāsiōn-, from occāsus, past participle of occidere, to fall : ob-, down; see ob- + cadere, to fall; see kad- in Indo-European roots.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Adv.

1.

on occasion - now and then or here and there; "he was arrogant and occasionally callous"; "open areas are only occasionally interrupted by clumps of trees"; "they visit New York on occasion"; "now and again she would take her favorite book from the shelf and read to us"; "as we drove along, the beautiful scenery now and then attracted his attention" at times, from time to time, now and again, now and then, occasionally, once in a while

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.