What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Happen vs Develop - What's the difference?

happen | develop |

As verbs the difference between happen and develop

is that happen is to occur or take place while develop is to change with a specific direction, progress.

As an adverb happen

is obsolete or dialect maybe, perhaps.

happen

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To occur or take place.
  • *{{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-28, author=(Joris Luyendijk)
  • , volume=189, issue=3, page=21, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Our banks are out of control , passage=Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic who still resists the idea that something drastic needs to happen for him to turn his life around.}}
  • To occur unexpectedly, by chance or with a low probability.
  • To encounter by chance.
  • * 1860 , , The Marble Faun , ch. 30:
  • Unexpectedly, in a nook close by the farmhouse, he happened upon a spot where the vintage had actually commenced.

    Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive . See

    Derived terms

    * as it happens * happen along * happener * happeningly * it so happens

    Adverb

    (-)
  • (obsolete or dialect) maybe, perhaps.
  • English catenative verbs 1000 English basic words ----

    develop

    English

    (Development)

    Alternative forms

    * develope (obsolete)

    Verb

  • To change with a specific direction, progress.
  • (ambitransitive) To progress through a sequence of stages.
  • * Owen
  • All insects acquire the jointed legs before the wings are fully developed .
  • To advance; to further; to promote the growth of.
  • * Jowett (Thucyd)
  • We must develop our own resources to the utmost.
  • To create.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=July-August, author= Catherine Clabby
  • , magazine=(American Scientist), title= Focus on Everything , passage=Not long ago, it was difficult to produce photographs of tiny creatures with every part in focus.
  • To bring out images latent in photographic film.
  • To acquire something usually over a period of time.
  • (chess) To place one's pieces actively.
  • (snooker, pool) To cause a ball to become more open and available to be played on later. Usually by moving it away from the cushion, or by opening a pack.
  • (math) To change the form of (an algebraic expression, etc.) by executing certain indicated operations without changing the value.
  • Usage notes

    * Objects: plan, software, program, product, story, idea.