occasion noun
1 time when sth happens
ADJ. many, numerous It was the first of many such occasions. | rare | previous | separate
VERB + OCCASION recall, remember
PREP. on an/the ~ The police were called out on 24 separate occasions. | on ~(s) He has even been known to go shopping himself on occasion.
PHRASES a number of occasions I have stayed there on a number of occasions. | on one occasion On one occasion he even rang me in the middle of the night. | on that/this ~ On this occasion, as it happens, the engine started immediately.
2 suitable time
ADJ. right, suitable
OCCASION + VERB arise I'll speak to him if the occasion arises.
PREP. ~ for It should have been an occasion for rejoicing.
PHRASES have occasion to do sth Last year we had occasion to visit relatives in Cornwall.
3 special event
ADJ. auspicious, big, great, important, memorable, momentous, special | festive, happy, joyous | formal, sad, solemn | social | ceremonial, state The Queen's coach is only used for state occasions.
VERB + OCCASION celebrate, mark a party to mark the occasion of their daughter's graduation | rise to The choir rose to the occasion and sang beautifully.
PHRASES for all occasions, for every occasion We sell cards and notepaper for all occasions. | a sense of occasion On the day of the wedding there was a real sense of occasion.
You can also check other dicts: occasion (English, 中文解释 ), wordnet sense, Collins Definition