Definition

1. Noun:

   • A particular time or instance of an event: A specific moment when something happens, often marked by some significance.
   • A special or important event, ceremony, or celebration: A social gathering or happening that is noteworthy.
   • A reason or cause: A circumstance that provides a ground or justification for an action or feeling.
   • An opportunity: A suitable or favorable time to do something.

2. Verb:

   • To cause or bring about: To be the direct cause of something happening.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • I met him on several occasions. (I met him at several specific times.)
  • Their wedding was a joyous occasion. (Their wedding was a happy and important event.)
  • There is no occasion for alarm. (There is no reason for alarm.)
  • This presents the perfect occasion to try something new. (This provides the perfect opportunity to try something new.)

• Verb:

  • The news occasioned great surprise. (The news caused great surprise.)

Advanced Usage

• "on occasion": Sometimes, but not regularly.

  • He visits the city on occasion. (He visits the city sometimes.)

• "rise to the occasion": To show that one can deal with a difficult situation successfully.

  • When the team captain was injured, she rose to the occasion and led them to victory. (When the team captain was injured, she handled the challenge well.)

• "take occasion to": To use an opportunity to do something.

  • I would like to take this occasion to thank our sponsors. (I would like to use this opportunity to thank our sponsors.)

Variants and Related Words

• Occasional (adj): Happening or appearing infrequently or from time to time.

  • He makes occasional visits to his hometown. (He visits his hometown sometimes, but not often.)

• Occasionally (adv): Now and then; at times.

  • We go for walks occasionally. (We go for walks sometimes.)

Synonyms

• Event: A thing that happens, especially one of importance.
• Opportunity: A set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.
• Reason: A cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event.

Related Phrases

• "as the occasion demands": As is necessary or appropriate for the situation.

  • We will adapt our plan as the occasion demands. (We will change our plan as needed for the situation.)

• "if the occasion arises": If the opportunity presents itself; if it happens.

  • I will ask him if the occasion arises. (I will ask him if I get the chance.)

Idioms

• "a sense of occasion": A feeling that an event is important or special.
  • The decorations gave the room a real sense of occasion. (The decorations made the room feel very special for the event.)

Noun

1. an opportunity to do something
   • there was never an occasion for her to demonstrate her skill
2. the time of a particular event
   • on the occasion of his 60th birthday
3. reason
   • there was no occasion for complaint
4. a vaguely specified social event
   • the party was quite an affair
   • an occasion arranged to honor the president
   • a seemingly endless round of social functions
5. an event that occurs at a critical time
   • at such junctures he always had an impulse to leave
   • it was needed only on special occasions

Verb

1. give occasion to