occasion

About 30.29 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun A favorable opportunity; a convenient or timely chance. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}

   At this point, she seized the occasion to make her own observation.

2. noun The time when something happens.

   On this occasion, I'm going to decline your offer, but next time I might agree.

3. noun An occurrence or state of affairs which causes some event or reaction; a motive or reason.

   I had no occasion to feel offended, however.

4. noun Something which causes something else; a cause.
5. noun An occurrence or incident.
6. noun A particular happening; an instance or time when something occurred.

   I could think of two separate occasions when she had deliberately lied to me.

7. noun A need; requirement, necessity.

   I have no occasion for firearms.

8. noun A special event or function.

   Having people round for dinner was always quite an occasion at our house.

Similar words

affair juncture social occasion event incident occurrence case circumstance timeliness situation

Often followed by

to of for the he when was in and

Word family

occasioned occasioning occasions