1 B1 idiomatic neutral
To find or encounter someone or something by accident, without planning to.
"I happened across an old diary in the attic that I never knew existed."
inseparable
happen across
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
To find or meet someone or something by chance, without looking for it.
In plain English
To find something without trying to find it — like a lucky accident.
What does "happen across" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To meet someone unexpectedly in a particular place.
"She happened across her old teacher at the farmer's market."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move across something and have it happen that you find it.
Actually means
To find something without trying to find it — like a lucky accident.
Usage tip
Slightly more formal or literary than 'come across'. Common in both British and American English. Emphasizes the randomness of the encounter.
Words that pair with "happen across"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
photograph document book shop person article
How to conjugate "happen across"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
happen across
I/you/we/they
3rd person
happens across
he/she/it
Past simple
happened across
yesterday
Past participle
happened across
have + pp
-ing form
happening across
continuous
Hear "happen across" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "happen across" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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