Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Occasion: Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：special event (occasion)

occasion 🔊

/əˈkeɪʒ(ə)n/

A special event or celebration that is important to you.

Illustration of a special occasion: friends celebrating a birthday party with cake and balloons.

special event 🔊

➕

/ˈspeʃ(ə)l ɪˈvent/

Refers to a notable or important happening, often marked by ceremony or celebration.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'occasio' meaning 'a falling, a fit time', from 'occidere' (to fall down).

💡 Mnemonic

An OCCASION is a Special CAke celebrATION. Remember the 'CA' in the middle for 'Cake' at a special event.

📖 Example

I bought a beautiful dress for the occasion of my graduation ceremony. 🔊 I purchased an elegant dress to wear for my graduation ceremony.

🔗 Collocations

on the occasion of – At the time of a particular event

special occasion – An important or noteworthy event

mark the occasion – To celebrate or commemorate an event

🔄 Synonyms

event (n.) – A thing that happens, especially one of importance.

celebration (n.) – The action of marking one's pleasure at an important event.

ceremony (n.) – A formal event performed on a special occasion.

🚫 Antonyms

non-event (n.) – An event that is disappointingly insignificant.

🌱 Derivatives

occasional (adj.) – Occurring or appearing at irregular intervals; infrequent.

occasionally (adv.) – At infrequent or irregular intervals; now and then.

📖 Cultural Story

The Latin root 'occasio' originally referred to a juncture or a falling together of events, akin to the metaphorical 'falling of dice' creating an opportunity. This evolved into the English sense of a particular time or event that presents itself.

Meaning 2：particular time (occasion)

occasion 🔊

/əˈkeɪʒ(ə)n/

A specific time when something particular happened.

particular time 🔊

➕

/pəˈtɪkjʊlə taɪm/

Refers to a specific instance or moment when something occurs.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

On three separate occasions, I saw him arriving late for the company meeting. 🔊 There were three distinct times when I observed him coming late to the team meeting.

🔗 Collocations

on occasion – From time to time; occasionally

on several occasions – A number of times

previous occasion – A time before the present one

🔄 Synonyms

time (n.) – A particular point or period when something occurs.

instance (n.) – An example or single occurrence of something.