occasionoc‧ca‧sion1 /əˈkeɪʒən/S1W2 noun
1timea)[countable]HAPPEN a time when something happenson ... occasionsI've seen Jana with them on several occasions.On this occasion we were sitting in a park in Madrid.She had met Zahid on two separate occasions.b)[singular]SUITABLE a suitable or favourable timeoccasion forThis was the occasion for expressions of friendship by the two presidents. ► Do not use occasion to mean ‘a time when it is possible for you to do what you want to do'. Use opportunity or chance: Do not waste this opportunity (NOT this occasion).► see thesaurus at time2special event [countable]HAPPEN an important social event or ceremonyI'm saving this bottle of champagne for a special occasion.► see thesaurus at event
Rising to the occasion requires standing alone, because it means going beyond what is accepted, beyond the minimum, beyond what others are doing, beyond personal gain, beyond what is expected of us, to doing what is right, specifically, when what is right costs us personally.
3cause/reason [uncountable] formalCAUSEREASON a cause or reasonHis remark was the occasion of a bitter quarrel.I had occasion to call on him last year.
4 →if (the) occasion arises
- When Great Aunt Mabel visits, however, we rise to the occasion and stage a large family meal. Occasion can also mean a designated time or reason something happens, or it can be an event in itself. I'm giving you your grandmother's ring on the occasion of your graduation from high school. I haven't had occasion to look at it since she died.
- An opportunity or reason for doing something or for something to happen: The 200th anniversary of Mozart's death was the occasion for hundreds of special films, books and concerts. An occasion may arise when you can use your knowledge of French. The bride took/used the occasion to make a short speech.
- Suzanne Weyn — ‘Your life is an occasion. Rise to it.' To see what your friends thought of this quote, please sign up!
Your Life Is An Occasion Rise To It Quote
Life Is An Occasion Rise To It Quote
5 →on occasionOccasion Give Rise To
1timea)[countable]HAPPEN a time when something happenson ... occasionsI've seen Jana with them on several occasions.On this occasion we were sitting in a park in Madrid.She had met Zahid on two separate occasions.b)[singular]SUITABLE a suitable or favourable timeoccasion forThis was the occasion for expressions of friendship by the two presidents. ► Do not use occasion to mean ‘a time when it is possible for you to do what you want to do'. Use opportunity or chance: Do not waste this opportunity (NOT this occasion).► see thesaurus at time2special event [countable]HAPPEN an important social event or ceremonyI'm saving this bottle of champagne for a special occasion.► see thesaurus at event
Rising to the occasion requires standing alone, because it means going beyond what is accepted, beyond the minimum, beyond what others are doing, beyond personal gain, beyond what is expected of us, to doing what is right, specifically, when what is right costs us personally.
3cause/reason [uncountable] formalCAUSEREASON a cause or reasonHis remark was the occasion of a bitter quarrel.I had occasion to call on him last year.4 →if (the) occasion arises- When Great Aunt Mabel visits, however, we rise to the occasion and stage a large family meal. Occasion can also mean a designated time or reason something happens, or it can be an event in itself. I'm giving you your grandmother's ring on the occasion of your graduation from high school. I haven't had occasion to look at it since she died.
- An opportunity or reason for doing something or for something to happen: The 200th anniversary of Mozart's death was the occasion for hundreds of special films, books and concerts. An occasion may arise when you can use your knowledge of French. The bride took/used the occasion to make a short speech.
- Suzanne Weyn — ‘Your life is an occasion. Rise to it.' To see what your friends thought of this quote, please sign up!
Your Life Is An Occasion Rise To It Quote
Life Is An Occasion Rise To It Quote
5 →on occasionOccasion Give Rise To
6 →on the occasion of somethingOccasion Rive-nord
COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: adjectivesseveral occasionsHe has helped me on several occasions.many occasionsI have seen him drunk on many occasions.numerous occasionsShe has been late on numerous occasions.two/three etc occasionsHe was given a red card on two occasions this season.a rare occasion (=used when something does not happen often)Only on rare occasions did she ever receive a letter.a particular occasionOn that particular occasion, he greeted me by kissing my hand.a previous occasionHe insisted then, as on every previous occasion, that he was innocent.a separate occasionI had heard this story on at least four separate occasions.a different occasionThe same person can react differently on different occasions.such occasions (=an occasion like the one mentioned or described)He had a box of toys by his desk for such occasions.phrasesa number of occasionsThe crowd interrupted her speech on a number of occasions.more than one occasion (=more than once)She stayed out all night on more than one occasion.at least one occasion (=once, and probably more than once)On at least one occasion he was arrested for robbery.COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: an important social event or ceremonyadjectivesa special occasionShe used her best china on special occasions.a big/great/splendid occasionThe big occasion for country people was the Agricultural Fair.a formal occasionHe wore the suit on formal occasions.a social occasionI prefer not to discuss business at social occasions.a ceremonial occasion (=a very formal official occasion)The gowns are worn only on ceremonial occasions.a happy/joyful occasionThe wedding had been a joyful occasion.a sad/solemn occasionHe did not want his funeral to be a sad and solemn occasion, but a celebration of his life.a festive occasion (=when you celebrate something)The Great Hall had been prepared for the festive occasion.a historic occasion (=important as part of history)This is truly a historic occasion.verbscelebrate an occasionTo celebrate the occasion, a small party was held at his home.mark an occasion (=do something special to celebrate an event)The bells were rung to mark the occasion.suit the occasionThe table was decorated to suit the occasion.phrasesa sense of occasion (=a feeling that an event is very special or important)The music gave the event a real sense of occasion.enter into the spirit of the occasion (=join in a social occasion in an eager way)People entered into the spirit of the occasion by enjoying a picnic before the outdoor concert.