occasion

occasion — noun

1. one specific moment in the past or future at which a particular event takes plac

1.nounB2
Definition

one specific moment in the past or future at which a particular event takes place, often used to count how many times something has happened.

Example

Mr. Patel has visited the temple on three separate occasions this year.

on + number + occasions for counting events

On one occasion, Lina forgot her passport at the airport gate.

on one occasion as a sentence opener

Common collocations
  • on several occasions
  • on one occasion
  • on numerous occasions
  • on the occasion of
Synonyms
  • time

    more general; 'three times' is the everyday equivalent of 'on three occasions'

  • instance

    slightly more formal; emphasises a single example of a wider pattern

  • moment

    stresses the brief duration; less suited to counting

Grammar Patterns

on + (number/adjective) + occasion(s)

occasion + when-clause

Usage Note

Almost always paired with 'on' as the preposition, not 'in' or 'at'. Frequently quantified ('on three occasions', 'on every occasion') to count distinct instances of an event.

Common Mistakes

I met him in two occasions.
I met him on two occasions.
the fixed preposition is 'on', not 'in' or 'at'.
At this occasion he was late.
On this occasion he was late.
single instances also take 'on'.

2. an important social event such as a wedding, anniversary, or ceremony, where peo

2.nounB1
Definition

an important social event such as a wedding, anniversary, or ceremony, where people gather to mark something meaningful and often dress or act differently from a normal day.

Example

Grandma kept her pearl necklace for special occasions like weddings and graduations.

collocation: special occasions + examples

The chef prepared a five-course menu just for the occasion.

for the occasion as adverbial

Common collocations
  • special occasion
  • formal occasion
  • festive occasion
  • for the occasion
Synonyms
  • event

    broader; an event need not be social or celebratory

  • celebration

    stresses joy; an occasion may also be solemn (a memorial)

  • ceremony

    formal ritual element; an occasion may be informal

Grammar Patterns

a + (special/big/formal) + occasion

for the occasion

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense names the gathering itself (the wedding, the ceremony), while sense 1 names a point in time at which something happens. If you can replace it with 'event' or 'celebration', it is sense 2.

Common Mistakes

She wore the dress in special occasions.
She wore the dress on special occasions.
keep the preposition 'on'.
My birthday is an occasion of fun.
My birthday is a fun occasion.
modify with an adjective, not an 'of' phrase.

3. a moment that gives you a fair chance or a good reason to do something, used whe

3.nounB2
Definition

a moment that gives you a fair chance or a good reason to do something, used when the right circumstances finally appear.

Example

The graduation ceremony gave Maya her first occasion to thank her parents in public.

occasion + to-infinitive

His resignation provided the perfect occasion for the team to discuss new leadership.

occasion + for + noun + to-infinitive

Common collocations
  • occasion to do something
  • occasion for
  • no occasion to
  • the perfect occasion
Synonyms
  • opportunity

    everyday synonym; less formal than 'occasion'

  • chance

    more informal; stresses possibility rather than suitability

  • reason

    matches the 'cause' nuance, especially in negative sentences

Grammar Patterns

occasion + to-infinitive

occasion + for + noun

Usage Note

Often appears in negated form ('there is no occasion to / for…') meaning 'there is no good reason'. Distinguish from sense 1: here the focus is on suitability or reason, not on counting time-points.

Common Mistakes

I had no occasion of complaining.
I had no occasion to complain.
follow with a to-infinitive, not 'of + -ing'.
This is the occasion for to celebrate.
This is the occasion to celebrate.' / 'This is the occasion for celebration.
pick one structure, not both prepositions.

4. in the fixed adverb phrase 'on occasion', meaning that something happens from ti

4.nounC2
Definition

in the fixed adverb phrase 'on occasion', meaning that something happens from time to time but is not a regular habit.

Example

Professor Lin enjoys a glass of red wine on occasion, but never during lectures.

fixed phrase: on occasion as adverbial

The old church bell still rings on occasion, mostly for funerals in the village.

on occasion + frequency follow-up

Common collocations
  • on occasion
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • never

    absolute opposite; total absence of occurrence

  • always

    opposite end of the frequency scale

Grammar Patterns

on occasion (as adverbial)

Usage Note

Only meaningful as a complete adverb phrase 'on occasion' — do not modify it with adjectives ('on rare occasion' is wrong; use 'on rare occasions' as a different sense-1 pattern). More formal than 'sometimes' or 'occasionally'.

Common Mistakes

We eat out at occasion.
We eat out on occasion.
the fixed preposition is 'on'.
He shouts on occasions.
He shouts on occasion.
keep 'occasion' singular in this fixed phrase; the plural belongs to sense 1.
Idioms

on occasion(s)

idiom

It means something happens sometimes, but not regularly or often.

Maya visits her grandmother on occasion, usually during holidays.

On occasions, Brian enjoys a glass of wine with dinner.

a sense of occasion

idiom

It is the feeling that a particular event is important and deserves special attention.

The live music added a sense of occasion to the wedding.

Did the decorations give the party a sense of occasion?

occasion — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four nouns refer to things that happen, but they highlight different aspects. 'Event' is the broadest and most neutral — a sports match, a conference, or a disaster can all be 'events'. 'Occasion' specifically suggests a moment that is socially or emotionally important, often involving other people gathering ('a special occasion'). 'Ceremony' adds the idea of fixed formal actions or rituals — speeches, vows, marching — and is usually planned in detail (a wedding ceremony, a graduation ceremony). 'Celebration' narrows the meaning to joyful events held to mark something positive, such as a birthday or victory. Compare: 'The wedding was a beautiful occasion' (focus on its social importance) versus 'The wedding ceremony lasted forty minutes' (focus on the ritual itself) versus 'The reception was a lively celebration' (focus on the joyful party afterwards).

occasion ↗event ↗ceremony ↗celebration ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

  • on (an occasion)
  • for (the occasion)
  • of (the occasion)

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

From Latin 'occasio', meaning a fitting moment, an opportunity, or a falling-down chance — built from 'ob-' (toward, down) plus 'cadere' (to fall). The image is of a chance that 'falls toward' you. The word entered English in the 14th century through Old French 'ochaison', first carrying the sense of opportunity or reason, then later widening to mean any particular point in time at which something happens. The verb 'to occasion' (to cause) developed soon after, keeping the older idea of being the thing that makes something fall into place.