Definition of occasion noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

occasion

noun

/əˈkeɪʒn/

[countable] a particular time when something happens
- on an occasion on this/that occasion
- I've met him on several occasions.
- They have been seen together on two separate occasions.
- On one occasion, she called me in the middle of the night.
- Only on rare occasions do I go out socially.
- occasion when… I can remember very few occasions when he had to cancel because of ill health.
- He used the occasion to announce further tax cuts.
- I have stated on numerous occasions what options are open.
- Harry has mentioned this on many previous occasions.
Extra Examples
- I have stayed there on a number of occasions.
- It was the first of many such occasions.
- On this occasion, as it happens, the engine started immediately.
- On this particular occasion, Joe wasn't there.
- They came to visit us on the odd occasion, but only when they had nothing better to do.
- I will overlook your lateness, on this occasion.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- countless
- many
- multiple
- …
verb + occasion
- recall
- remember
preposition
- on an/the occasion
- on occasion
- on occasions
- …
phrases
- a number of occasions
- on one occasion
- on that occasion
- …
See full entry
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Find out which words work together and produce more natural sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app.
[countable] a special event, ceremony or celebration
- a great/memorable/happy/momentous occasion
- Turn every meal into a special occasion.
- They marked the occasion (= celebrated it) with an open-air concert.
- Their wedding turned out to be quite an occasion.
- We expect you to dress for the occasion.
- on the occasion of something He was presented with the watch on the occasion of his retirement.
- Every good wish to them on the occasion of their 40th anniversary.
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Extra Examples
- I only wear my silk dress on special occasions.
- Medals are usually worn only on ceremonial occasions.
- The King's coach is only used for state occasions.
- We sell cards and notepaper for all occasions.
- It was certainly a memorable occasion!
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- auspicious
- big
- great
- …
verb + occasion
- celebrate
- mark
- rise to
- …
occasion + verb
- call for something
preposition
- on occasion
- occasion of
phrases
- for all occasions
- for every occasion
- a sense of occasion
- …
See full entry
[singular] a suitable time for something
- occasion for doing something It should have been an occasion for rejoicing, but she could not feel any real joy.
- These workshops provide an occasion for talking about art.
- occasion for something This is not a time for specifics, but an occasion for vision.
- Festivals were occasions for great celebration.
- I’ll speak to him about it if the occasion arises (= if I get a chance).
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- right
- suitable
verb + occasion
- get
- have
occasion + verb
- arise
preposition
- occasion for
phrases
- be an occasion for something
- become an occasion for something
- have occasion to do something
- …
See full entry
[uncountable, singular] (formal) a reason or cause
- occasion to do something I've had no occasion to visit him recently.
- She doesn’t have much occasion to speak French in her new job.
- occasion of something Her death was the occasion of mass riots.
- occasion for something Art here is an occasion for education and entertainment.
- I'm willing to go to court over this if the occasion arises (= if it becomes necessary).
Extra Examples
- I bought the camera last year, but never had the occasion to use it.
- Last year we had occasion to visit relatives in Cornwall.
Topics Change, cause and effectc2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- right
- suitable
verb + occasion
- get
- have
occasion + verb
- arise
preposition
- occasion for
phrases
- be an occasion for something
- become an occasion for something
- have occasion to do something
- …
See full entry