• Occasion Dict English
• Occasional Dictionary
• Occasion Dict En
• Occasion Dictionnaire
• Occasion Oxford Dictionary

Definition of occasion2 verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage.

1. Definition of occasion written for English Language Learners from the Merriam-Webster Learner's Dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and count/noncount noun labels.
2. 46 synonyms of occasion from the Merriam-Webster Thesaurus, plus 90 related words, definitions, and antonyms. Find another word for occasion. Occasion: a particular point at which an event takes place.

Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Wikipedia.

a sense of occasion

auspicious occasion

equal to the occasion

have occasion to (do something)

keep (something) for another time/day/week/etc.

leave (something) for another time/day/week/etc.

on occasion

rise to the occasion

save (something) for another time/day/week/etc.

take the occasion (to do something)

leave something for another occasion

and keep something for another occasion

on occasion

rise to the occasion

on occasion

rise to the occasion

rise to the occasion

perform better than usual in response to a special situation or event.

have occasion to do something

(formal) have a reason or need to do something: If you ever have occasion to visit Zurich, you will always be welcome to stay with us.

on ocˈcasion(s)

sometimes; not very often: I don’t smoke cigarettes but I like to smoke a cigar on occasion.

rise to the ocˈcasion/ˈchallenge

do something successfully in a difficult situation, emergency, etc: When the lead singer became ill, Cathy had to take her place. Everyone thought she rose to the occasion magnificently. ♢ This company must be prepared to rise to the challenge of a rapidly changing market.

a sense of ocˈcasion

a feeling or an understanding that an event is important or special:

Occasion Dict English

Candles on the table gave the evening a sense of occasion.

on occasion

rise to the occasion

take the occasion

Occasional Dictionary

See also:

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noun

• 1A particular event, or the time at which it takes place.

  ‘on one occasion I stayed up until two in the morning’

  • ‘Holidays and other special occasions are marked with singing and dancing.’
  • ‘Theresa is already working on big celebrations to mark the special occasion in the history of the prominent Association.’
  • ‘Ceremonies marking many official occasions are held in the country's churches.’
  • ‘There had been only one previous occasion when I actually had to appear in court.’
  • ‘Rovers boast an excellent record in the competition having reached the final on two previous occasions in recent years.’
  • ‘Here BBC Sport recalls the five previous occasions when the ultimate prize in European rugby has been on the line.’
  • ‘Actually, I could only remember one other occasion, months and months ago.’
  • ‘The accused testified and offered excuses in relation to her failure to comply on several other occasions during this period.’
  • ‘The meal followed and it proved to be a most enjoyable social occasion.’
  • ‘In 1979 Jimmy Carter used the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the lunar landing to push his energy program.’
  • ‘Holland has won the title five times while Pakistan emerged victorious on three occasions.’
  • ‘We took a while to find the right direction on two or three occasions.’
  • ‘On at least three difference occasions, Neil accepted the hospitality of his hosts.’
  • ‘His swimming marathon last summer was on the occasion of his 40th birthday.’
  • ‘Already, the industry has found sales touching the expected figures on four occasions.’
  • ‘On all four occasions, patients were transferred to other hospitals in the city.’
  • ‘Were the written words used by the defendant on an occasion of qualified privilege?’
  • ‘Not everything said or written on an occasion of qualified privilege is protected.’
  • ‘The trial of Mr Daly had been adjourned on a number of occasions in the past.’
  • ‘You have been before the courts on many occasions over the years.’

  1. 1.1A special or noteworthy event, ceremony, or celebration.
     ‘she was presented with a gold watch to mark the occasion’
     • ‘Sunday lunch has a suitable sense of occasion about it’
     • ‘The name-giving ceremony is a formal occasion celebrated by feasting and drinking.’
     • ‘Mass will be celebrated to mark the occasion and the dinner and party will be held in the Anglers Rest Hotel in Headford.’
     • ‘In 1974 he was invited to address the US Congress on the occasion of the celebrations marking the American bicentennial.’
     • ‘Some cultures decorate to celebrate a festive occasion, others to mark membership in a group or tribe.’
     • ‘The ceremony was an occasion for considerable celebration, but Margaret was never crowned queen.’
     • ‘Her family and friends, along with staff at St. Joseph's, had a right old party bash celebrating the occasion.’
     • ‘They marked the occasion with a celebration with family and neighbours.’
     • ‘Last week there were celebrations to mark the occasion with Mass being celebrated by the new Bishop of Galway.’
     • ‘Nobody is going to have that many special occasions in their life.’
     • ‘Another center of Shan life is the Buddhist monastery, where many occasions are celebrated.’
     • ‘They gave me a crystal wine glass to celebrate the momentous occasion.’
     • ‘To celebrate this momentous occasion, have all your neighbors get together for a good old fashioned barbeque.’
     • ‘He did this on several festive, campy occasions.’
     • ‘She was crowned at the end of a gala occasion on Sunday night.’
     • ‘Today, on the occasion of his 70th birthday, we wish him well.’
     • ‘The recent parish outing and day trip to West Mayo proved a very enjoyable occasion.’
     • ‘Weddings are important and costly occasions for celebration in both the Portuguese and Chinese communities.’
     • ‘The greatest occasion for celebration in a Kurd's life is marriage.’
     • ‘Patel admitted he had initially been overawed by the occasion.’
     • ‘The entire set, costumes and props will also be flown to New York for the gala occasion.’
     social event, event, affair, function, celebration, party, ceremony, get-together, gathering

     View synonyms
  2. 1.2A suitable or opportune time for doing something.
     ‘by-elections are traditionally an occasion for registering protest votes’
     • ‘Opportunity refers to the occasion suitable for or conducive to the behavior, including such factors as geography and time.’
     • ‘The occasion arose through the trip of the old people to Poppleton, given by Captain Grace, on the ‘River King’ a few weeks before.’
     • ‘Ms. Ayotte said she was prepared to issue a formal opinion to that effect if the occasion arose.’
     • ‘Thankfully, they are all still fit and well and could still turn on the style if the occasion arose.’
     • ‘I promised myself that I'd tell Karl as soon as the occasion arose.’
     • ‘Instead of passing the ball off every time, he took shots around the arch when the occasion arose.’
     • ‘Raf was a great playmate to have around and could be serious when the occasion arose.’
     • ‘Whenever the occasion arose to work in a different area or learn new skills, I welcomed it.’
     • ‘I reckon that birthdays are more suitable occasions for resolutions than New Year.’
     • ‘Having some occasions or opportunities to do so is always rewarding and inspiring.’
     • ‘The special occasion gave guests the opportunity to meet the director, singers and dancers of the world renown opera.’
     • ‘The occasion afforded staff the opportunity of paying tribute to a long-standing member of staff.’
     • ‘I struggle to recall those rare occasions when it has been invoked against a non-Arab state.’
     • ‘The Assembly used this rare occasion to chat about everything and nothing and just enjoy the time they spent together.’
     • ‘The controversy provided a rare occasion for agreement between the ruling right and opposition left.’
     • ‘I promised myself that I'd tell Karl as soon as the occasion arose.’
     • ‘At once, occasion arose for versions of reality to compete for public credibility.’
     • ‘Each situation is different, and must be assessed individually when the occasion arises.’
     • ‘The Bodhisattva can be represented as both male and female as need and occasion demand.’
     • ‘We addicts can always come up with suitable justifications when the occasion demands.’
     opportunity, opportune time, suitable time, right moment, chance, opening, window

     View synonyms

• 2formal mass nounReason; cause.

  with infinitive‘it's the first time that I've had occasion to complain’

  • ‘Actually, there is no special occasion or reason to buy the stuff.’
  • ‘There may be occasion at work and reason at home, for you to lose your cool or balance but that's not helpful so avoid extremes of any kind.’
  • ‘For the first thirty years of my academic career, I had no occasion and no reason to worry about sports.’
  • ‘About this time last year I had occasion to complain about the non-collection of my refuse bin.’
  • ‘I think you are somewhat reserved, but my daughter does not seem to mind your taciturnity, so I suppose I have no occasion to complain.’
  • ‘Our certainty, whether grounded in reason or miraculous signs, affords no occasion to trust.’
  • ‘I often have occasion to be reminded of the man who, as executive deputy mayor, was the face and the voice of Buffalo City.’

  reason, cause, call, grounds, justification, need, necessity, requirement, excuse, pretext, stimulus, inducement, provocation, motive

  View synonyms

Occasion Dict En

verb

[with object]formal

• Cause (something)

  • ‘his death occasioned her much grief’
  • ‘Much sadness was occasioned by the sudden death of well known Claremorris chemist Sean O'Brien at the weekend.’
  • ‘Patrick was a popular and esteemed member of the local rural community and much sadness was occasioned by his death.’
  • ‘These rites control the pollution occasioned by death, and also usher the soul from one life to another.’
  • ‘His death occasioned an outpouring of condolences, mourning, and reflection.’
  • ‘Much sadness was occasioned around the area by the news of her sudden death.’
  • ‘Last year, the lights were not removed until March, occasioning embarrassment for both the Chamber and the Council.’
  • ‘But all in all, what with the weather and a degree of jadedness occasioned by a bit of sleep disturbance, it's not been a thrilling day.’
  • ‘My examination of terms such as fraught and wrought has occasioned controversy.’
  • ‘The jury took two hours to convict him of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.’
  • ‘Patrick was a popular and esteemed member of the local rural community and much sadness was occasioned by his death.’
  • ‘In principle any losses occasioned thereby are recoverable however they may be characterised.’
  • ‘After a long delay occasioned by France, the treaty entered into force in 1985.’
  • ‘The loss occasioned by cancellation of hotel bookings and other expenses runs into the billions of shillings.’
  • ‘His death shortly afterwards occasioned louder public grief than that of Louis XV four years earlier.’
  • ‘His passing occasioned deep grief in his native Ballinrobe where he was deservedly held in very high regard.’
  • ‘In addition, she received an apology for any injustice occasioned to her.’
  • ‘Do you have to show that the error is one which occasions an injustice to your client?’
  • ‘The injustices occasioned by these institutions should, however, be confronted as an aspect of spiritual practice.’
  • ‘The father was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but was acquitted.’
  • ‘Johnston has been charged with malicious wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.’

  cause, give rise to, bring about, result in, lead to, prompt, provoke, evoke, elicit, call forth, produce, create, arouse, make, make for, generate, engender, originate, effect, bring on, induce, precipitate, stir up, inspire, spark off, trigger, breed

  View synonyms

Occasion Dictionnaire

Phrases

rise to the occasion


• Perform better than usual in response to a special situation or event.

  ‘when it comes to the finals, they can rise to the occasion’

  • ‘As the event unfolded, Samuel rose to the occasion.’
  • ‘Nadia rose to the occasion, performing almost flawlessly.’
  • ‘Australians who came into the game with a ‘must win’ situation rose to the occasion in fine style and outplayed the Kiwis.’
  • ‘I also like the fact that he doesn't just rise to the occasion in certain events that suit his style.’
  • ‘Along with the epic quality of the storytelling come performances that rise to the occasion.’
  • ‘The team rose to the occasion and responded magnificently.’
  • ‘Still this is a masterful performance by Andsnes who rises to the occasion quite wonderfully.’
  • ‘Many teens will rise to the occasion by taking on responsibilities and providing support for other family members.’
  • ‘There is some fine virtuoso writing here too, and the performers certainly rise to the occasion.’
  • ‘Morrisons staff in Keighley are fired up about their store's latest improvement and hope customers will rise to the occasion.’
on occasion


• Occasionally; from time to time.

  • ‘The three journalists who interviewed Putin for this book are pleasingly sassy on occasion.’
  • ‘Once there, Joe's life became one of living in hostels or, on occasions, even sleeping rough.’
  • ‘My students used to ask on occasions whether they were different from my students in Czechoslovakia.’
  • ‘The Laois lads continued to dominate the exchanges but on occasions were guilty of some wayward passes.’
  • ‘Now bear in mind this is the same person who, on occasions, will spend hours on her make-up before she'll set foot out the door.’
  • ‘A post as full-time director of the charity has meant that he has been on occasions unavailable for team selection.’
  • ‘Celebrity Melinda has also been persuaded to join him on occasions.’
  • ‘Early on, maybe, I was a little rusty on occasions, but I felt much better as the match went on.’
  • ‘We have lost by half a point and one point on occasions and probably have the most second places in Panorama.’
  • ‘His health is such that he turns blue on occasions and is unable to breathe.’
take occasion
archaic

• Make use of an opportunity to do something.

  ‘I shall here take occasion to propose a second observation’

  • ‘I took occasion from thence to speak strongly to her, concerning the hand of God, and his design in all afflictions.’
  • ‘For I am possessed of a cat, surpassing in beauty, from whom I take occasion to bless Almighty God.’
  • ‘But sin, taking occasion by the Commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence.’
  • ‘Here I must take occasion to tell you, there are five faults will be found in heaven with your best fruits.’
  • ‘The member does not even know the Standing Orders, and he should take occasion over the adjournment to read them.’

Origin

Occasion Oxford Dictionary

Late Middle English from Latin occasio(n-) ‘juncture, reason’, from occidere ‘go down, set’, from ob- ‘towards’ + cadere ‘to fall’.