Origin: Latin suffix -sion
Occasion has 8 different meanings across 2 categories:
a vaguely specified social event
"the party was quite an affair"
"an occasion arranged to honor the president"
"a seemingly endless round of social functions"
an opportunity to do something
"there was never an occasion for her to demonstrate her skill"
A favorable opportunity; a convenient or timely chance.
"The sudden rain gave us an excellent occasion to finish our project inside before heading home."
In plain English: An occasion is a special event or time when something specific happens.
"We decided to celebrate their anniversary on a special occasion."
Usage: Use "occasion" to describe a specific event or moment when something can happen, such as taking advantage of an opening in traffic. It refers to the favorable opportunity itself rather than the reason for holding a party or celebration.
give occasion to
"His rude behavior gave occasion to everyone at the dinner party to question his manners."
To cause; to produce; to induce
"The sudden downpour occurred on our picnic occasion, ruining all our plans."
In plain English: To make something happen at a specific time or place.
"The special occasion called for us to dress in our finest clothes."
Usage: Use "to occasion" as a verb only in formal writing when you mean to cause or bring about an event, such as saying that a delay occasioned frustration. In everyday speech, avoid this usage and instead use simpler verbs like "cause," "make," or "lead to."
The word entered English via Middle and Old French from the Latin occasio, originally meaning a falling down or coming to an end. It now refers to a specific event or opportunity rather than its literal sense of something collapsing.