occasion

/ə'keiʤn/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
occasion

A family gathers for a special occasion.

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.)
occasion

A family gathers for a special occasion.

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