bechance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Archaic/Formal)Archaic, Formal, Literary
Quick answer
What does “bechance” mean?
To happen, occur, or befall by chance or fate.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To happen, occur, or befall by chance or fate.
A literary, archaic, or formal verb describing an event taking place, often implying an unforeseen or accidental occurrence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally archaic and rare in both varieties. No significant dialectal difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Evokes a Shakespearean or Early Modern English style. Connotes poetic or deliberate archaism.
Frequency
Extremely low in both. Might be marginally more encountered in British historical or poetic texts due to the preservation of such vocabulary in certain educational canons, but this is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “bechance” in a Sentence
It + bechance + that-clause (It bechanced that...)Something + bechance + to + someone (Misfortune bechanced to him.)Bechance + adverbial (as may bechance).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bechance” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- If any ill should bechance our king during his travels, the council would rule.
- It bechanced upon a summer's eve that they met by the old oak.
American English
- It bechanced that the only witness was out of town that day.
- What strange fate could have bechanced to the missing expedition?
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistics or literature studies when quoting or analysing older texts.
Everyday
Never used; would sound odd and artificial.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bechance”
- Using it in modern speech/writing.
- Confusing it with the noun 'chance'.
- Incorrectly conjugating (e.g., 'bechances', 'bechanced' are correct but rare).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered archaic and is almost never used in contemporary spoken or written English, except for deliberate stylistic effect in historical or literary contexts.
No, 'bechance' is solely a verb. The related noun is 'chance' or 'happening'.
They are near synonyms, both archaic. 'Befall' is slightly more common in frozen phrases like 'woe betide' and often implies something negative happening *to* someone. 'Bechance' is more neutral, simply meaning 'to happen', though often by chance.
For active vocabulary, no. You should only be able to recognise and understand it when reading older texts (e.g., Shakespeare, the King James Bible). For active use, prefer modern synonyms like 'happen', 'occur', or 'take place'.
To happen, occur, or befall by chance or fate.
Bechance is usually archaic, formal, literary in register.
Bechance: in British English it is pronounced /bɪˈtʃɑːns/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɪˈtʃæns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As (it) may bechance”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'BE'ing there by CHANCE. If you 'bechance' to be somewhere, you are there by happenstance.
Conceptual Metaphor
EVENTS ARE TRAVELLERS (they befall/befall/bechance upon us).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'bechance' most appropriately used?