event
event
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "event" is /ɪˈvɛnt/.
e-: /ɪ/ (as in "bit")
-vent: /vɛnt/ (as in "vent")
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: event
Plural Noun: events
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A planned public or social occasion.
Synonyms: occurrence, happening, affair, function, gathering, celebration
Antonyms: non-event, routine, normalcy
Definition 2: Something that happens, especially something important or noteworthy.
Synonyms: incident, episode, circumstance, phenomenon, development
Antonyms: non-occurrence, stagnation, inactivity
Definition 3 (Physics): A point in space-time that is precisely specified by its location and time.
Synonyms: occurrence, incident
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific scientific usage)
Examples of Use
Books:
"The event that changed everything for Sarah was not a grand public ceremony, but a quiet, chance encounter in a dusty old bookstore." (Fictional novel, author's imagination)
"Chapter 7 chronicles the major political events that led to the collapse of the empire, detailing the intricate web of alliances and betrayals." (Historical non-fiction, academic text)
Newspapers:
"Local charities are hosting a fundraising event next Saturday to support victims of the recent flooding." (Headline, Daily Chronicle)
"The city's annual marathon is a highly anticipated event, drawing thousands of runners and spectators from around the globe." (Sports section, The Gazette)
Online Publications:
"Tech giant unveils new smartphone at a highly anticipated virtual event." (Technology news article, The Verge)
"The sudden dip in the stock market was an unexpected event that sent ripples through the global economy." (Financial analysis blog, MarketWatch)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "The climax of the film revolves around a series of unforeseen events that put the protagonist's life in jeopardy." (Movie plot synopsis, IMDb)
Television Series: "Tonight's episode features a dramatic event that will change the course of the characters' lives forever." (TV show promo, Netflix)
Video Games: "Completing this quest unlocks a special in-game event with unique rewards." (Game tutorial screen, Gamer's Edge Forum)
Music Concerts/Festivals: "Tickets for the summer music event are selling fast; don't miss out on your chance to see your favorite bands perform." (Concert promoter's advertisement, Ticketmaster)
Podcasts: "In this week's true crime podcast, we delve into the details of a mysterious event that baffled investigators for decades." (Podcast episode description, True Crime Uncovered)
General Public Discourse:
"Did you hear about the big event happening downtown this weekend? There's going to be live music and food trucks." (Casual conversation between friends)
"Winning the lottery was a life-changing event for my family." (Personal anecdote shared in an interview)
"We need to plan for every possible eventuality, especially when dealing with such a complex project." (Professional discussion in a meeting)
"The birth of my first child was the most significant event of my life." (Personal reflection)
10 Famous Quotes Using Event
"The best way to predict the future is to create it." (Peter Drucker) While not explicitly using "event," this quote speaks to the deliberate shaping of future occurrences, which are events.
"Every great event is a climax, a summing up of a long preparation." (Swami Vivekananda)
"History is a vast early warning system." (Norman Cousins) This quote implies that past events serve as warnings for future ones.
"The biggest event in your life is the one that is happening to you right now." (Unknown)
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." (John A. Shedd) This metaphorically suggests that life is about venturing out and experiencing events.
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." (John Lennon) This famous lyric speaks to the unexpected nature of life's events.
"No event in human history has been more momentous than the invention of printing." (Thomas Carlyle)
"To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace." (George Washington) This quote refers to preparing for the event of war.
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." (Socrates) This philosophical statement, while not directly about "event," relates to the process of learning and encountering new information, which can be thought of as events of discovery.
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." (Eleanor Roosevelt) This quote implicitly speaks to the events that will unfold as one pursues their dreams.
Etymology
The word "event" has a pretty clear and logical journey through languages!
It comes to us from Middle French "event," which in turn came from the Latin word "eventus."
"Eventus" in Latin literally meant "an outcome" or "an occurrence." It was based on the Latin verb "evenire," which means "to happen," "to fall out," or "to come out." If you break "evenire" down further, it's made up of:
"e-" (a short form of "ex-"), meaning "out of" or "from"
"venire," meaning "to come"
So, you can see how the core idea is "something that comes out" or "something that happens."
The first known use of "event" in English as a noun, meaning "the consequence of anything" (like in "in the event that"), was around the mid-1500s, specifically in 1539. Shortly after, in the 1580s, it also gained the meaning of "that which happens." So, from the very beginning, it was used to describe something that occurs or the result of something.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Event
In the event of: Meaning "if something happens" or "should something occur."
Example: "In the event of a fire, please use the stairs."
Major event: A significant or important occurrence.
Example: "The royal wedding was a major event."
Sporting event: A competition or contest in sports.
Example: "We're going to a major sporting event this weekend."
Current events: Things that are happening in the world right now.
Example: "She keeps up with current events by reading the news daily."
Non-event: Something that was expected to be significant but turned out to be unimportant or uneventful.
Example: "The highly anticipated concert was a bit of a non-event; the sound quality was terrible."
Chain of events: A series of interconnected occurrences.
Example: "A strange chain of events led him to discover the hidden treasure."
At all events: (Older usage) Meaning "in any case" or "anyway."
Example: "It might rain, but at all events, we should bring umbrellas."
No mean feat/accomplishment: (Using a synonym) Referring to an impressive achievement or happening.
Example: "Finishing the marathon in under three hours was no mean feat."
Turn of events: A sudden or unexpected change in a situation.
Example: "A surprising turn of events saw the underdog win the championship."
The main event: The most important or principal part of a show, competition, or gathering.
Example: "After several opening acts, it was time for the main event."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of event from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
