nonhappening

Elementary (A2)

IPA: //nɒnˈhæpənɪŋ//

KK: /nɑnˈhæpənɪŋ/

noun

Definition

A situation or event that fails to take place; something that is expected to happen but does not.

Example

The meeting was a nonhappening, as no one showed up.

Conversation

Did you hear about the concert that was supposed to happen this weekend?

Yeah, I was really looking forward to it!

I know, right? It's such a nonhappening now.

Totally! I guess we'll have to find something else to do instead.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

nonevent

failure

anticlimax

Antonyms

event

occurrence

happening

Root Explanation

Nonhappening → It is formed from "non-" (meaning not) and "happening" (from the verb "happen", which comes from Middle English *hapnen*, meaning to occur or take place). The word "nonhappening" refers to something that does not occur or take place.

Memory Tip

Think of 'non-' meaning 'not' and 'happening' meaning 'occurring' — so nonhappening means something that is not occurring.

Visually Confused Words