1
general::
noun 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. 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. 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.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
3
general::
occasion
adjectives
several occasions
• He has helped me on several occasions.
many occasions
• I have seen him drunk on many occasions.
numerous occasions
• She has been late on numerous occasions.
two/three etc occasions
• He was given a red card on two occasions this season.
a rare occasion
(= used when something does not happen often )
• Only on rare occasions did she ever receive a letter.
a particular occasion
• On that particular occasion, he greeted me by kissing my hand.
a previous occasion
• He insisted then, as on every previous occasion, that he was innocent.
a separate occasion
• I had heard this story on at least four separate occasions.
a different occasion
• The same person can react differently on different occasions.
such occasions
(= an occasion like the one mentioned or described )
• He had a box of toys by his desk for such occasions.
phrases
a number of occasions
• The crowd interrupted her speech on a number of occasions.
more than one occasion
(= more than once )
• She stayed out all night on more than one occasion.
at least one occasion
(= once, and probably more than once )
• On at least one occasion he was arrested for robbery.
occasion 2
adjectives
a special occasion
• She used her best china on special occasions.
a big/great/splendid occasion
• The big occasion for country people was the Agricultural Fair.
a formal occasion
• He wore the suit on formal occasions.
a social occasion
• I prefer not to discuss business at social occasions.
a ceremonial occasion
(= a very formal official occasion )
• The gowns are worn only on ceremonial occasions.
a happy/joyful occasion
• The wedding had been a joyful occasion.
a sad/solemn occasion
• He did not want his funeral to be a sad and solemn occasion, but a celebration of his life.
a festive occasion
(= when you celebrate something )
• The Great Hall had been prepared for the festive occasion.
a historic occasion
(= important as part of history )
• This is truly a historic occasion.
verbs
celebrate an occasion
• To celebrate the occasion, a small party was held at his home.
mark an occasion
(= do something special to celebrate an event )
• The bells were rung to mark the occasion.
suit the occasion
• The table was decorated to suit the occasion.
phrases
a sense of occasion
(= a feeling that an event is very special or important )
• The music gave the event a real sense of occasion.
enter into the spirit of the occasion
(= join in a social occasion in an eager way )
• People entered into the spirit of the occasion by enjoying a picnic before the outdoor concert.
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