occasion
gb/ɔkˈeɪʒən/ us/ɔkˈeɪʒən/
B1
English
~ 1200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
event
1
a specific time or event
A special time when something happens.
Usage pattern:
on [an/the] occasion
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'occasion' with 'opportunity'; 'occasion' refers to a time or event, not a chance to do something.
Synonyms
event (More general; may refer to anything that happens, not necessarily a special or marked time.)
Antonyms
routine (Refers to normal, everyday activities, not special or unusual events.)
Collocations
special occasion
|on this occasion
|formal occasion
|happy occasion
|rare occasion
Themes
daily life
|social
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We met on the occasion of his retirement party.
- Her graduation was a joyful occasion for the whole family.
- On this rare occasion, the entire team agreed.
Learner examples
- My birthday is a happy occasion.
- We met on the occasion of the wedding.
- It was a big occasion for the school.
Noun
B2
entity
2
a reason for doing something
A reason for doing something or feeling something.
Usage pattern:
[something] is the occasion for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may incorrectly use 'occasion' here to mean 'opportunity'; in this sense it refers to a cause or trigger, not a chance.
Synonyms
reason (More general; can apply in all contexts, not just those with a triggering event.)
Antonyms
result (Refers to an outcome rather than the cause.)
Collocations
occasion for celebration
|occasion for concern
|serve as an occasion
Themes
reasoning
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her arrival was the occasion for much excitement.
- The letter served as an occasion to call him.
- There is no occasion for alarm.
Learner examples
- His visit was the occasion for a party.
- There is no occasion for fear.
- The news was an occasion to meet.
Verb
formal
C1
action
3
to cause something to happen
To make something happen, often something bad.
Usage pattern:
to occasion [something]
Common mistake:
Learners often avoid this verb form because it is formal and less common; they may overuse 'cause' instead.
Synonyms
cause ('Cause' is more common and neutral; 'occasion' is more formal.)
Antonyms
prevent (Means to stop something from happening, which is the opposite of causing it.)
Collocations
occasion problems
|occasion delays
Themes
formal
|cause_effect
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- His comments occasioned an angry response from the audience.
- The delay was occasioned by technical problems.
- This misunderstanding has occasioned unnecessary conflict.
Learner examples
- His words occasioned trouble.
- The rain occasioned a delay.
- Her mistake occasioned confusion.
Grammar
Dictionary form
occasion
IPA
GB/ɔkˈeɪʒən/
US/ɔkˈeɪʒən/
Syllables & stress
oc - ca - sion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ca)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: occasion
- Plural: occasion, occasions
Verb
- Base: occasion
- 3rd Person Singular: occasions
- Present Participle: occasioning
- Past: occasioned
Word family
Forms
occasions
noun
occasioning
verb
occasioned
verb
Core family
occasional
adjective B1
occasionally
adverb A2
Expressions
mark the occasion
1/mˈɑɹk ðə ɔkˈeɪʒən/
fixed phrase
celebrate or honor an event
To celebrate or do something special for an event.
Examples
- We lit candles to mark the occasion.
- They held a dinner to mark the occasion of their anniversary.
on occasion
1/ˈɔn ɔkˈeɪʒən/
fixed phrase
sometimes, not regularly
Sometimes, but not often.
Examples
- On occasion, we go out for dinner together.
- He visits his old school on occasion.
on this occasion
1/ˈɔn ðˈɪs ɔkˈeɪʒən/
fixed phrase
at this specific time/event
At this exact time or event we are talking about.
Examples
- On this occasion, we decided to stay home.
- He wore a suit on this occasion.
rise to the occasion
1/ɹˈaɪz tə ðə ɔkˈeɪʒən/
idiom
perform well under pressure
To do well when there is a special need or challenge.
Examples
- She rose to the occasion and delivered an excellent speech.
- When the team needed him most, he rose to the occasion.