e ‧ vent S1 W1 /ɪˈvent/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ event , ↑ non-event , ↑ eventuality , ↑ uneventfulness ; adverb : eventfully ≠ ↑ uneventfully , ↑ eventually ; adjective : ↑ eventful ≠ ↑ uneventful , ↑ eventual ]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: eventus , from the past participle of evenire 'to happen' ]
1 . INTERESTING/EXCITING [countable] something that happens, especially something important, interesting or unusual:
one of the most important events in the history of mankind
2 . SOCIAL GATHERING [countable] a performance, sports competition, party etc at which people gather together to watch or take part in something:
The conference was an important social event (=an event at which people can meet each other) .
one of the major sporting events of the year
charity/fundraising etc event
The school raises money by organizing fundraising events.
3 . RACE/COMPETITION [countable] one of the races or competitions that are part of a large sports competition:
The next event will be the 100 metres.
The 800 metres is not his best event.
⇨ ↑ field event , ↑ three-day event
4 . in any/either event ( also at all events ) used to say that something will definitely happen or be true in spite of anything else that may happen SYN in any case :
I might see you tomorrow, but I’ll phone in any event.
5 . in the event used to emphasize what actually happened in a situation as opposed to what you thought might happen SYN as it happened :
Extra police officers were brought in, although in the event the demonstration passed off peacefully.
6 . in the event of something ( also in the event that something happens ) used to tell people what they should do if something happens:
He left a letter for me to read in the event of his death.
7 . in the normal course of events if things happen in the normal way SYN normally :
In the normal course of events, the money is released within about three months.
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COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ adjectives
▪ a big/major event (=important)
Getting married is a major event in anyone’s life.
▪ an important/significant event
It’s natural to be nervous before such an important event.
▪ a momentous event (=very important)
the momentous events of 9/11
▪ a historic event (=very important in a country’s history)
The signing of the peace treaty was a historic event.
▪ a dramatic event (=very exciting)
The dramatic events will be brought to you live on BBC.
▪ a tragic event (=very sad)
Let’s not talk about the tragic events of the past.
▪ a traumatic event (=very upsetting)
He was forced to relive the traumatic events of his kidnap.
▪ a common/an everyday event
The death of a child was a common event in those days.
▪ a rare/unusual event
A sighting of a white deer is a rare event.
▪ recent events
Recent events in the country have caused great concern.
▪ the latest events
We will be bringing you news of all the latest events.
▪ current events
There are some similarities between what happened in the 1920s and current events in the US.
■ verbs
▪ an event happens/takes place ( also an event occurs formal )
The event took place last year.
▪ events unfold (=happen, usually in an exciting or unexpected way)
I watched the dramatic events unfold from my window.
▪ events lead (up) to something (=cause something)
His assassination was one of the events that led to the First World War.
▪ the events surrounding something (=the events that are closely related to a situation)
The events surrounding her death remain a mystery.
▪ celebrate/commemorate/mark an event (=do something to show that you remember it)
Fans observed a minute’s silence to commemorate the tragic event.
▪ witness an event (=see it happen)
Luckily, a film crew were on the spot to witness the event.
▪ record an event (=write down or photograph what happened)
Two photographers recorded the events.
■ phrases
▪ a series/sequence of events (=related events that happen one after the other)
The incident was the first in a series of events that finally led to his arrest.
▪ a chain of events (=a series of events where each one causes the next)
He set in motion a chain of events that he couldn’t control.
▪ the course of events (=the way in which a series of events happens)
Nothing you could have done would have changed the course of events.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + event
▪ a social event (=an event at which a group of people meet and spend time together for pleasure)
I don’t go to many social events since my husband’s death.
▪ a sporting event
Many of the weekend’s major sporting events were cancelled due to bad weather.
▪ a cultural/musical event
a monthly guide to the cultural events in London
▪ a charity/fund-raising event
Forthcoming fund-raising events include a sponsored five-mile walk.
■ verbs
▪ hold/stage an event (=organize a public event)
The charity plans to stage several fund-raising events this year.
▪ go to an event ( also attend an event formal )
Unfortunately, the prime minister will not be able to attend the event.
▪ support an event (=pay to attend a charity event in order to encourage it )
I’d like to thank everyone who came tonight for supporting the event.
▪ boycott an event (=refuse to go to an event as a protest)
The games went ahead despite threats to boycott the event.
▪ sponsor an event (=give money to an event, especially in exchange for the right to advertise)
The event is sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ event something that happens, especially something important, interesting, or unusual:
He spoke of the tragic event in which more than 100 people died.
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recent political events
▪ occurrence /əˈkʌrəns $ əˈkʌrəns/ formal something that happens – used especially when saying how often something happens:
Divorce is a common occurrence these days.
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Storms like this one are fortunately a rare occurrence.
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Accidents are almost a daily occurrence on this road.
▪ incident something that happens, especially something that is unusual or unpleasant, or something that is one of several events:
He died after a violent incident outside a nightclub.
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This latest incident could put an end to his career.
▪ occasion an important social event or celebration:
She only wore the dress for special occasions.
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It was his 100th birthday, and friends and family gathered to mark the occasion.
▪ affair [usually singular] something that happens, especially something shocking in political or public life which involves several people and events:
The affair has caused people to lose confidence in their government.
▪ phenomenon /fɪˈnɒmənən, fɪˈnɒmɪnən $ fɪˈnɑːmənɑːn, -nən/ something that happens or exists in society, science, or nature, especially something that is studied because it is difficult to understand:
natural phenomena such as earthquakes
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Homelessness is not a new phenomenon.