A short word that is used when one finds something unexpectedly

up vote
6
down vote

favorite

To my significant consternation, I have forgotten a word which is used when an individual happens to find or discover something unexpectedly.

For example, one might say "I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I _____ upon a most challenging question. Of course, I helped the gentleman as soon as I could since he asked so nicely."

I have a feeling it is a scarcely used word.

N.B the word I am looking for is not 'Chanced upon'

Thank you in advance,

Will

edited 19 hours ago

Tushar Raj

17.7k863111

asked yesterday

William

3314

New contributor

serendipitously - the etymology of the word is fascinating
– Strawberry
18 hours ago

I might say “happened upon”.
– Anton Sherwood
8 hours ago

add a comment |

up vote
6
down vote

favorite

To my significant consternation, I have forgotten a word which is used when an individual happens to find or discover something unexpectedly.

I have a feeling it is a scarcely used word.

N.B the word I am looking for is not 'Chanced upon'

Thank you in advance,

Will

edited 19 hours ago

Tushar Raj

17.7k863111

asked yesterday

William

3314

New contributor

serendipitously - the etymology of the word is fascinating
– Strawberry
18 hours ago

I might say “happened upon”.
– Anton Sherwood
8 hours ago

add a comment |

up vote
6
down vote

favorite

To my significant consternation, I have forgotten a word which is used when an individual happens to find or discover something unexpectedly.

I have a feeling it is a scarcely used word.

N.B the word I am looking for is not 'Chanced upon'

Thank you in advance,

Will

edited 19 hours ago

Tushar Raj

17.7k863111

asked yesterday

William

3314

New contributor

To my significant consternation, I have forgotten a word which is used when an individual happens to find or discover something unexpectedly.

I have a feeling it is a scarcely used word.

N.B the word I am looking for is not 'Chanced upon'

Thank you in advance,

Will

single-word-requests

edited 19 hours ago

Tushar Raj

17.7k863111

asked yesterday

William

3314

New contributor

edited 19 hours ago

Tushar Raj

17.7k863111

asked yesterday

William

3314

New contributor

edited 19 hours ago

Tushar Raj

17.7k863111

edited 19 hours ago

Tushar Raj

17.7k863111

edited 19 hours ago

Tushar Raj

17.7k863111

asked yesterday

William

3314

New contributor

asked yesterday

William

3314

asked yesterday

William

3314

New contributor

William is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

serendipitously - the etymology of the word is fascinating
– Strawberry
18 hours ago

I might say “happened upon”.
– Anton Sherwood
8 hours ago

add a comment |

serendipitously - the etymology of the word is fascinating
– Strawberry
18 hours ago

I might say “happened upon”.
– Anton Sherwood
8 hours ago

serendipitously - the etymology of the word is fascinating
– Strawberry
18 hours ago

I might say “happened upon”.
– Anton Sherwood
8 hours ago

add a comment |

9 Answers
9

active

oldest

votes

up vote
14
down vote

accepted

I suspect you may be looking for 'lit' or 'lighted'

Per the OED

to light on or upon (or of): to happen to come upon, chance upon; to meet with or discover, esp. unexpectedly or by accident; to come across, whether as the result of search or not.

They give the following examples:

1738 J. Wesley Wks. (1830) I. 38 I called at Alringham, and there lit upon a Quaker.

1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) I. 547 I have as yet only once lighted on the use of the word in the singular.

Some more recent citations from around the web:

Going over this old ground, she poked through the pile of papers she had brought with her to chaperone her during her dinner. There was the card for the children there were the lecture notes, there was the note she had written to Karel. She tore it up, and pushed the pieces into the folder. The folder was full of such scraps. Then, wavering, she lit upon another new postcard -

The Realms of Gold: A Novel
Margaret Drabble 2013.

And when I lit upon the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant, I knew I
had found what I was searching for.

Mark D White Kantian Ethics and Economics Autonomy, Dignity and Character
copyright 2018 Stanford University Press

edited 12 hours ago

answered yesterday

Spagirl

9,7101944

1

excellent, this is exactly the word I am looking for
– William
yesterday

@William That's a bit strange then, since stumble upon is far more common. But this works too.
– only_pro
yesterday

3

@only_pro Why is it strange that the ‘far more common’ stumble upon didn’t turn out to be the ‘short’ and ‘scarcely used’ word the OP was looking for?
– Spagirl
yesterday

1

@SteveMelnikoff You are perfectly welcome to argue that, but be aware that since NO-ONE is claiming otherwise, it will be a bit of a short argument. The OP asked for a word which they acknowledged was 'scarcely used'. I am also a native BrE speaker if that is relevant. I really don't understand what your point is, the word I supplied is the word the OP was looking for....
– Spagirl
19 hours ago

1

The first of the more recent examples looks like it’s intended to mean ‘decided on’ or something along those lines, rather than ‘happen upon’. It definitely seems to refer to something purposeful, rather than accidental: the publishers liked it, so therefore, I (purposefully) did X. Not a usage of this word with which I am familiar; perhaps Christopher Wood is just not as familiar with the word as he thought he was?
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
12 hours ago

|
show 4 more comments

up vote
36
down vote

Did you mean stumble?

4 a : to come unexpectedly or by chance

_{(source: Merriam-Webster)}

I was looking through that old chest of draws upstairs when I stumbled upon a rather suspicious looking package.

looks pretty natural to me.

answered yesterday

Glorfindel

4,80682635

Is there a nGram-ish way of finding out what the most used word before upon (other than once) is? IMO it's a cliche of a sentence utterly demanding this word.
– Mazura
yesterday

1

@Mazura look upon is about 17 times more common than stumble upon, while the latter is only modestly more common than happen upon. The other "upon" answers are even less common.
– Chappo
yesterday

The phrase stumble upon is so extremely common for this meaning that it was chosen as the name for a website designed to provide opportunities to discover new content: Stumbleupon.com (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StumbleUpon
– barbecue
8 hours ago

add a comment |

up vote
12
down vote

Not the single word you're looking for, but this phrasal verb fits perfectly.

"I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I came across a most challenging question."

come across - "if you come across something or someone, you find them or meet them by chance."

Example sentences:

I came across a $100 bill on my way to work yesterday!

I came across Peter at the bookshop after work.

If you come across my wallet, please let me know. I forget where I left it.

edited yesterday

answered yesterday

Centaurus

37.5k27120241

add a comment |

up vote
11
down vote

You could use happen upon:

: to find or meet (someone or something) by chance

// She happened on a little cottage in the woods.

// I happened upon them at the grocery store.

edited yesterday

Matt

952412

answered yesterday

user112358

1172

New contributor

add a comment |

up vote
3
down vote

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

bump into

to encounter especially by chance.

Though it is quite informal, but short and metaphorical.

edited yesterday

Laurel

29.4k654104

answered yesterday

user307254

73119

1

I would never use this in the context provided by the OP. The OP is talking about visually navigating a website (SE), whereas I would use bump into only in a physical situation. For example, bumping into a friend at the mall or two cars bumping into each other.
– whatisit
yesterday

add a comment |

up vote
-1
down vote

I would chance (no pun intended):

struck upon

edited yesterday

Chappo

2,43441225

answered yesterday

Nuubie

New contributor

3

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer to avoid deletion - for example, adding a published example or definition for your proposed phrase, linked to the source. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

add a comment |

up vote
-1
down vote

bumbled, as in bumbled upon...

answered yesterday

ian

New contributor

3

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. I suggest you edit your answer - for example, adding a published definition (linked to the source) and perhaps a sample sentence. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

2

If you add a dictionary definition, it will show that bumble suggests clumsiness or confusion. I don't think these are relevant characteristics for the usage the OP is seeking.
– Chappo
yesterday

add a comment |

up vote
-2
down vote

"Serendipitous" appears to fit the bill precisely

answered yesterday

whisperycat

151

3

Unfortunately, it does not. Using that word makes the sentence ungrammatical: "I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I serendipitous upon a most challenging question." In fact, the OP is requesting a verb (as some other answers/responses have stated) and serendipitous is an adjective... Serendipitous also has a strong meaning of luck or luckiness, whereas the OP is simply asking for discovering something unexpectedly.
– whatisit
yesterday

3

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer to avoid deletion - for example, adding a published definition for your word, linked to the source. [I note that doing so might have alerted you to the mismatch between your word and what the OP was asking for]. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

Perhaps we should coin the word serendipped. "I serendipped into a pile of rhubarb."
– barbecue
8 hours ago

add a comment |

up vote
-3
down vote

Eureka!

Exclamation of surprising discovery.

answered yesterday

Underground

111

New contributor

2

OP is looking for a verb to fill in the blank in the example sentence they provided.
– Beanluc
yesterday

1

@Beanluc — How about making a verb from it — eureked?
– David
yesterday

3

@David making eureka into a verb is possible... people have been inventing new words for thousands of years. But I've never heard it used as a verb and the three dictionaries that I have searched list it only as 1. an interjection or 2. a city in California. So, I am wondering how this helps with the original question? Using Eureka! mid-sentence both seems to make the sentence ungrammatical, and rather confusing: "I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I Eureka! upon a most challenging question."
– whatisit
yesterday

1

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer - for example, adding a published definition (linked to the source) - but on this occasion you might instead consider deleting what appears to be the wrong solution to this question. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

@whatisit — If I had intended that as a serious answer I would have put it in an answer. It was meant to be humorous. Unfortunately there are stakeholders who would action such a brainshower.
– David
11 hours ago

add a comment |

protected by tchrist♦ yesterday

Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).

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9 Answers
9

active

oldest

votes

9 Answers
9

active

oldest

votes

up vote
14
down vote

accepted

I suspect you may be looking for 'lit' or 'lighted'

Per the OED

to light on or upon (or of): to happen to come upon, chance upon; to meet with or discover, esp. unexpectedly or by accident; to come across, whether as the result of search or not.

They give the following examples:

1738 J. Wesley Wks. (1830) I. 38 I called at Alringham, and there lit upon a Quaker.

1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) I. 547 I have as yet only once lighted on the use of the word in the singular.

Some more recent citations from around the web:

Going over this old ground, she poked through the pile of papers she had brought with her to chaperone her during her dinner. There was the card for the children there were the lecture notes, there was the note she had written to Karel. She tore it up, and pushed the pieces into the folder. The folder was full of such scraps. Then, wavering, she lit upon another new postcard -

The Realms of Gold: A Novel
Margaret Drabble 2013.

And when I lit upon the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant, I knew I
had found what I was searching for.

Mark D White Kantian Ethics and Economics Autonomy, Dignity and Character
copyright 2018 Stanford University Press

edited 12 hours ago

answered yesterday

Spagirl

9,7101944

1

excellent, this is exactly the word I am looking for
– William
yesterday

@William That's a bit strange then, since stumble upon is far more common. But this works too.
– only_pro
yesterday

3

@only_pro Why is it strange that the ‘far more common’ stumble upon didn’t turn out to be the ‘short’ and ‘scarcely used’ word the OP was looking for?
– Spagirl
yesterday

1

@SteveMelnikoff You are perfectly welcome to argue that, but be aware that since NO-ONE is claiming otherwise, it will be a bit of a short argument. The OP asked for a word which they acknowledged was 'scarcely used'. I am also a native BrE speaker if that is relevant. I really don't understand what your point is, the word I supplied is the word the OP was looking for....
– Spagirl
19 hours ago

1

The first of the more recent examples looks like it’s intended to mean ‘decided on’ or something along those lines, rather than ‘happen upon’. It definitely seems to refer to something purposeful, rather than accidental: the publishers liked it, so therefore, I (purposefully) did X. Not a usage of this word with which I am familiar; perhaps Christopher Wood is just not as familiar with the word as he thought he was?
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
12 hours ago

|
show 4 more comments

up vote
14
down vote

accepted

I suspect you may be looking for 'lit' or 'lighted'

Per the OED

to light on or upon (or of): to happen to come upon, chance upon; to meet with or discover, esp. unexpectedly or by accident; to come across, whether as the result of search or not.

They give the following examples:

1738 J. Wesley Wks. (1830) I. 38 I called at Alringham, and there lit upon a Quaker.

1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) I. 547 I have as yet only once lighted on the use of the word in the singular.

Some more recent citations from around the web:

Going over this old ground, she poked through the pile of papers she had brought with her to chaperone her during her dinner. There was the card for the children there were the lecture notes, there was the note she had written to Karel. She tore it up, and pushed the pieces into the folder. The folder was full of such scraps. Then, wavering, she lit upon another new postcard -

The Realms of Gold: A Novel
Margaret Drabble 2013.

And when I lit upon the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant, I knew I
had found what I was searching for.

Mark D White Kantian Ethics and Economics Autonomy, Dignity and Character
copyright 2018 Stanford University Press

edited 12 hours ago

answered yesterday

Spagirl

9,7101944

1

excellent, this is exactly the word I am looking for
– William
yesterday

@William That's a bit strange then, since stumble upon is far more common. But this works too.
– only_pro
yesterday

3

@only_pro Why is it strange that the ‘far more common’ stumble upon didn’t turn out to be the ‘short’ and ‘scarcely used’ word the OP was looking for?
– Spagirl
yesterday

1

@SteveMelnikoff You are perfectly welcome to argue that, but be aware that since NO-ONE is claiming otherwise, it will be a bit of a short argument. The OP asked for a word which they acknowledged was 'scarcely used'. I am also a native BrE speaker if that is relevant. I really don't understand what your point is, the word I supplied is the word the OP was looking for....
– Spagirl
19 hours ago

1

The first of the more recent examples looks like it’s intended to mean ‘decided on’ or something along those lines, rather than ‘happen upon’. It definitely seems to refer to something purposeful, rather than accidental: the publishers liked it, so therefore, I (purposefully) did X. Not a usage of this word with which I am familiar; perhaps Christopher Wood is just not as familiar with the word as he thought he was?
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
12 hours ago

|
show 4 more comments

up vote
14
down vote

accepted

I suspect you may be looking for 'lit' or 'lighted'

Per the OED

to light on or upon (or of): to happen to come upon, chance upon; to meet with or discover, esp. unexpectedly or by accident; to come across, whether as the result of search or not.

They give the following examples:

1738 J. Wesley Wks. (1830) I. 38 I called at Alringham, and there lit upon a Quaker.

1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) I. 547 I have as yet only once lighted on the use of the word in the singular.

Some more recent citations from around the web:

Going over this old ground, she poked through the pile of papers she had brought with her to chaperone her during her dinner. There was the card for the children there were the lecture notes, there was the note she had written to Karel. She tore it up, and pushed the pieces into the folder. The folder was full of such scraps. Then, wavering, she lit upon another new postcard -

The Realms of Gold: A Novel
Margaret Drabble 2013.

And when I lit upon the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant, I knew I
had found what I was searching for.

Mark D White Kantian Ethics and Economics Autonomy, Dignity and Character
copyright 2018 Stanford University Press

edited 12 hours ago

answered yesterday

Spagirl

9,7101944

I suspect you may be looking for 'lit' or 'lighted'

Per the OED

to light on or upon (or of): to happen to come upon, chance upon; to meet with or discover, esp. unexpectedly or by accident; to come across, whether as the result of search or not.

They give the following examples:

1738 J. Wesley Wks. (1830) I. 38 I called at Alringham, and there lit upon a Quaker.

1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) I. 547 I have as yet only once lighted on the use of the word in the singular.

Some more recent citations from around the web:

Going over this old ground, she poked through the pile of papers she had brought with her to chaperone her during her dinner. There was the card for the children there were the lecture notes, there was the note she had written to Karel. She tore it up, and pushed the pieces into the folder. The folder was full of such scraps. Then, wavering, she lit upon another new postcard -

The Realms of Gold: A Novel
Margaret Drabble 2013.

And when I lit upon the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant, I knew I
had found what I was searching for.

Mark D White Kantian Ethics and Economics Autonomy, Dignity and Character
copyright 2018 Stanford University Press

edited 12 hours ago

answered yesterday

Spagirl

9,7101944

edited 12 hours ago

answered yesterday

Spagirl

9,7101944

answered yesterday

Spagirl

9,7101944

answered yesterday

Spagirl

9,7101944

1

excellent, this is exactly the word I am looking for
– William
yesterday

@William That's a bit strange then, since stumble upon is far more common. But this works too.
– only_pro
yesterday

3

@only_pro Why is it strange that the ‘far more common’ stumble upon didn’t turn out to be the ‘short’ and ‘scarcely used’ word the OP was looking for?
– Spagirl
yesterday

1

@SteveMelnikoff You are perfectly welcome to argue that, but be aware that since NO-ONE is claiming otherwise, it will be a bit of a short argument. The OP asked for a word which they acknowledged was 'scarcely used'. I am also a native BrE speaker if that is relevant. I really don't understand what your point is, the word I supplied is the word the OP was looking for....
– Spagirl
19 hours ago

1

The first of the more recent examples looks like it’s intended to mean ‘decided on’ or something along those lines, rather than ‘happen upon’. It definitely seems to refer to something purposeful, rather than accidental: the publishers liked it, so therefore, I (purposefully) did X. Not a usage of this word with which I am familiar; perhaps Christopher Wood is just not as familiar with the word as he thought he was?
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
12 hours ago

|
show 4 more comments

1

excellent, this is exactly the word I am looking for
– William
yesterday

@William That's a bit strange then, since stumble upon is far more common. But this works too.
– only_pro
yesterday

3

@only_pro Why is it strange that the ‘far more common’ stumble upon didn’t turn out to be the ‘short’ and ‘scarcely used’ word the OP was looking for?
– Spagirl
yesterday

1

@SteveMelnikoff You are perfectly welcome to argue that, but be aware that since NO-ONE is claiming otherwise, it will be a bit of a short argument. The OP asked for a word which they acknowledged was 'scarcely used'. I am also a native BrE speaker if that is relevant. I really don't understand what your point is, the word I supplied is the word the OP was looking for....
– Spagirl
19 hours ago

1

The first of the more recent examples looks like it’s intended to mean ‘decided on’ or something along those lines, rather than ‘happen upon’. It definitely seems to refer to something purposeful, rather than accidental: the publishers liked it, so therefore, I (purposefully) did X. Not a usage of this word with which I am familiar; perhaps Christopher Wood is just not as familiar with the word as he thought he was?
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
12 hours ago

excellent, this is exactly the word I am looking for
– William
yesterday

@William That's a bit strange then, since stumble upon is far more common. But this works too.
– only_pro
yesterday

@only_pro Why is it strange that the ‘far more common’ stumble upon didn’t turn out to be the ‘short’ and ‘scarcely used’ word the OP was looking for?
– Spagirl
yesterday

@SteveMelnikoff You are perfectly welcome to argue that, but be aware that since NO-ONE is claiming otherwise, it will be a bit of a short argument. The OP asked for a word which they acknowledged was 'scarcely used'. I am also a native BrE speaker if that is relevant. I really don't understand what your point is, the word I supplied is the word the OP was looking for....
– Spagirl
19 hours ago

The first of the more recent examples looks like it’s intended to mean ‘decided on’ or something along those lines, rather than ‘happen upon’. It definitely seems to refer to something purposeful, rather than accidental: the publishers liked it, so therefore, I (purposefully) did X. Not a usage of this word with which I am familiar; perhaps Christopher Wood is just not as familiar with the word as he thought he was?
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
12 hours ago

|
show 4 more comments

up vote
36
down vote

Did you mean stumble?

4 a : to come unexpectedly or by chance

_{(source: Merriam-Webster)}

I was looking through that old chest of draws upstairs when I stumbled upon a rather suspicious looking package.

looks pretty natural to me.

answered yesterday

Glorfindel

4,80682635

Is there a nGram-ish way of finding out what the most used word before upon (other than once) is? IMO it's a cliche of a sentence utterly demanding this word.
– Mazura
yesterday

1

@Mazura look upon is about 17 times more common than stumble upon, while the latter is only modestly more common than happen upon. The other "upon" answers are even less common.
– Chappo
yesterday

The phrase stumble upon is so extremely common for this meaning that it was chosen as the name for a website designed to provide opportunities to discover new content: Stumbleupon.com (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StumbleUpon
– barbecue
8 hours ago

add a comment |

up vote
36
down vote

Did you mean stumble?

4 a : to come unexpectedly or by chance

_{(source: Merriam-Webster)}

I was looking through that old chest of draws upstairs when I stumbled upon a rather suspicious looking package.

looks pretty natural to me.

answered yesterday

Glorfindel

4,80682635

Is there a nGram-ish way of finding out what the most used word before upon (other than once) is? IMO it's a cliche of a sentence utterly demanding this word.
– Mazura
yesterday

1

@Mazura look upon is about 17 times more common than stumble upon, while the latter is only modestly more common than happen upon. The other "upon" answers are even less common.
– Chappo
yesterday

The phrase stumble upon is so extremely common for this meaning that it was chosen as the name for a website designed to provide opportunities to discover new content: Stumbleupon.com (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StumbleUpon
– barbecue
8 hours ago

add a comment |

up vote
36
down vote

Did you mean stumble?

4 a : to come unexpectedly or by chance

_{(source: Merriam-Webster)}

I was looking through that old chest of draws upstairs when I stumbled upon a rather suspicious looking package.

looks pretty natural to me.

answered yesterday

Glorfindel

4,80682635

Did you mean stumble?

4 a : to come unexpectedly or by chance

_{(source: Merriam-Webster)}

I was looking through that old chest of draws upstairs when I stumbled upon a rather suspicious looking package.

looks pretty natural to me.

answered yesterday

Glorfindel

4,80682635

answered yesterday

Glorfindel

4,80682635

answered yesterday

Glorfindel

4,80682635

answered yesterday

Glorfindel

4,80682635

Is there a nGram-ish way of finding out what the most used word before upon (other than once) is? IMO it's a cliche of a sentence utterly demanding this word.
– Mazura
yesterday

1

@Mazura look upon is about 17 times more common than stumble upon, while the latter is only modestly more common than happen upon. The other "upon" answers are even less common.
– Chappo
yesterday

The phrase stumble upon is so extremely common for this meaning that it was chosen as the name for a website designed to provide opportunities to discover new content: Stumbleupon.com (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StumbleUpon
– barbecue
8 hours ago

add a comment |

Is there a nGram-ish way of finding out what the most used word before upon (other than once) is? IMO it's a cliche of a sentence utterly demanding this word.
– Mazura
yesterday

1

@Mazura look upon is about 17 times more common than stumble upon, while the latter is only modestly more common than happen upon. The other "upon" answers are even less common.
– Chappo
yesterday

The phrase stumble upon is so extremely common for this meaning that it was chosen as the name for a website designed to provide opportunities to discover new content: Stumbleupon.com (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StumbleUpon
– barbecue
8 hours ago

Is there a nGram-ish way of finding out what the most used word before upon (other than once) is? IMO it's a cliche of a sentence utterly demanding this word.
– Mazura
yesterday

@Mazura look upon is about 17 times more common than stumble upon, while the latter is only modestly more common than happen upon. The other "upon" answers are even less common.
– Chappo
yesterday

The phrase stumble upon is so extremely common for this meaning that it was chosen as the name for a website designed to provide opportunities to discover new content: Stumbleupon.com (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StumbleUpon
– barbecue
8 hours ago

add a comment |

up vote
12
down vote

Not the single word you're looking for, but this phrasal verb fits perfectly.

"I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I came across a most challenging question."

come across - "if you come across something or someone, you find them or meet them by chance."

Example sentences:

I came across a $100 bill on my way to work yesterday!

I came across Peter at the bookshop after work.

If you come across my wallet, please let me know. I forget where I left it.

edited yesterday

answered yesterday

Centaurus

37.5k27120241

add a comment |

up vote
12
down vote

Not the single word you're looking for, but this phrasal verb fits perfectly.

"I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I came across a most challenging question."

come across - "if you come across something or someone, you find them or meet them by chance."

Example sentences:

I came across a $100 bill on my way to work yesterday!

I came across Peter at the bookshop after work.

If you come across my wallet, please let me know. I forget where I left it.

edited yesterday

answered yesterday

Centaurus

37.5k27120241

add a comment |

up vote
12
down vote

Not the single word you're looking for, but this phrasal verb fits perfectly.

"I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I came across a most challenging question."

come across - "if you come across something or someone, you find them or meet them by chance."

Example sentences:

I came across a $100 bill on my way to work yesterday!

I came across Peter at the bookshop after work.

If you come across my wallet, please let me know. I forget where I left it.

edited yesterday

answered yesterday

Centaurus

37.5k27120241

Not the single word you're looking for, but this phrasal verb fits perfectly.

"I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I came across a most challenging question."

come across - "if you come across something or someone, you find them or meet them by chance."

Example sentences:

I came across a $100 bill on my way to work yesterday!

I came across Peter at the bookshop after work.

If you come across my wallet, please let me know. I forget where I left it.

edited yesterday

answered yesterday

Centaurus

37.5k27120241

edited yesterday

answered yesterday

Centaurus

37.5k27120241

answered yesterday

Centaurus

37.5k27120241

answered yesterday

Centaurus

37.5k27120241

add a comment |

up vote
11
down vote

You could use happen upon:

: to find or meet (someone or something) by chance

// She happened on a little cottage in the woods.

// I happened upon them at the grocery store.

edited yesterday

Matt

952412

answered yesterday

user112358

1172

New contributor

add a comment |

up vote
11
down vote

You could use happen upon:

: to find or meet (someone or something) by chance

// She happened on a little cottage in the woods.

// I happened upon them at the grocery store.

edited yesterday

Matt

952412

answered yesterday

user112358

1172

New contributor

add a comment |

up vote
11
down vote

You could use happen upon:

: to find or meet (someone or something) by chance

// She happened on a little cottage in the woods.

// I happened upon them at the grocery store.

edited yesterday

Matt

952412

answered yesterday

user112358

1172

New contributor

You could use happen upon:

: to find or meet (someone or something) by chance

// She happened on a little cottage in the woods.

// I happened upon them at the grocery store.

edited yesterday

Matt

952412

answered yesterday

user112358

1172

New contributor

edited yesterday

Matt

952412

edited yesterday

Matt

952412

edited yesterday

Matt

952412

answered yesterday

user112358

1172

New contributor

answered yesterday

user112358

1172

answered yesterday

user112358

1172

New contributor

user112358 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment |

up vote
3
down vote

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

bump into

to encounter especially by chance.

Though it is quite informal, but short and metaphorical.

edited yesterday

Laurel

29.4k654104

answered yesterday

user307254

73119

1

I would never use this in the context provided by the OP. The OP is talking about visually navigating a website (SE), whereas I would use bump into only in a physical situation. For example, bumping into a friend at the mall or two cars bumping into each other.
– whatisit
yesterday

add a comment |

up vote
3
down vote

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

bump into

to encounter especially by chance.

Though it is quite informal, but short and metaphorical.

edited yesterday

Laurel

29.4k654104

answered yesterday

user307254

73119

1

I would never use this in the context provided by the OP. The OP is talking about visually navigating a website (SE), whereas I would use bump into only in a physical situation. For example, bumping into a friend at the mall or two cars bumping into each other.
– whatisit
yesterday

add a comment |

up vote
3
down vote

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

bump into

to encounter especially by chance.

Though it is quite informal, but short and metaphorical.

edited yesterday

Laurel

29.4k654104

answered yesterday

user307254

73119

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

bump into

to encounter especially by chance.

Though it is quite informal, but short and metaphorical.

edited yesterday

Laurel

29.4k654104

answered yesterday

user307254

73119

edited yesterday

Laurel

29.4k654104

edited yesterday

Laurel

29.4k654104

edited yesterday

Laurel

29.4k654104

answered yesterday

user307254

73119

answered yesterday

user307254

73119

answered yesterday

user307254

73119

1

I would never use this in the context provided by the OP. The OP is talking about visually navigating a website (SE), whereas I would use bump into only in a physical situation. For example, bumping into a friend at the mall or two cars bumping into each other.
– whatisit
yesterday

add a comment |

1

I would never use this in the context provided by the OP. The OP is talking about visually navigating a website (SE), whereas I would use bump into only in a physical situation. For example, bumping into a friend at the mall or two cars bumping into each other.
– whatisit
yesterday

I would never use this in the context provided by the OP. The OP is talking about visually navigating a website (SE), whereas I would use bump into only in a physical situation. For example, bumping into a friend at the mall or two cars bumping into each other.
– whatisit
yesterday

add a comment |

up vote
-1
down vote

I would chance (no pun intended):

struck upon

edited yesterday

Chappo

2,43441225

answered yesterday

Nuubie

New contributor

3

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer to avoid deletion - for example, adding a published example or definition for your proposed phrase, linked to the source. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

add a comment |

up vote
-1
down vote

I would chance (no pun intended):

struck upon

edited yesterday

Chappo

2,43441225

answered yesterday

Nuubie

New contributor

3

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer to avoid deletion - for example, adding a published example or definition for your proposed phrase, linked to the source. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

add a comment |

up vote
-1
down vote

I would chance (no pun intended):

struck upon

edited yesterday

Chappo

2,43441225

answered yesterday

Nuubie

New contributor

I would chance (no pun intended):

struck upon

edited yesterday

Chappo

2,43441225

answered yesterday

Nuubie

New contributor

edited yesterday

Chappo

2,43441225

edited yesterday

Chappo

2,43441225

edited yesterday

Chappo

2,43441225

answered yesterday

Nuubie

New contributor

answered yesterday

Nuubie

answered yesterday

Nuubie

New contributor

Nuubie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

3

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer to avoid deletion - for example, adding a published example or definition for your proposed phrase, linked to the source. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

add a comment |

3

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer to avoid deletion - for example, adding a published example or definition for your proposed phrase, linked to the source. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer to avoid deletion - for example, adding a published example or definition for your proposed phrase, linked to the source. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

add a comment |

up vote
-1
down vote

bumbled, as in bumbled upon...

answered yesterday

ian

New contributor

3

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. I suggest you edit your answer - for example, adding a published definition (linked to the source) and perhaps a sample sentence. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

2

If you add a dictionary definition, it will show that bumble suggests clumsiness or confusion. I don't think these are relevant characteristics for the usage the OP is seeking.
– Chappo
yesterday

add a comment |

up vote
-1
down vote

bumbled, as in bumbled upon...

answered yesterday

ian

New contributor

3

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. I suggest you edit your answer - for example, adding a published definition (linked to the source) and perhaps a sample sentence. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

2

If you add a dictionary definition, it will show that bumble suggests clumsiness or confusion. I don't think these are relevant characteristics for the usage the OP is seeking.
– Chappo
yesterday

add a comment |

up vote
-1
down vote

bumbled, as in bumbled upon...

answered yesterday

ian

New contributor

bumbled, as in bumbled upon...

answered yesterday

ian

New contributor

answered yesterday

ian

New contributor

answered yesterday

ian

answered yesterday

ian

New contributor

ian is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

3

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. I suggest you edit your answer - for example, adding a published definition (linked to the source) and perhaps a sample sentence. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

2

If you add a dictionary definition, it will show that bumble suggests clumsiness or confusion. I don't think these are relevant characteristics for the usage the OP is seeking.
– Chappo
yesterday

add a comment |

3

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. I suggest you edit your answer - for example, adding a published definition (linked to the source) and perhaps a sample sentence. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

2

If you add a dictionary definition, it will show that bumble suggests clumsiness or confusion. I don't think these are relevant characteristics for the usage the OP is seeking.
– Chappo
yesterday

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. I suggest you edit your answer - for example, adding a published definition (linked to the source) and perhaps a sample sentence. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

If you add a dictionary definition, it will show that bumble suggests clumsiness or confusion. I don't think these are relevant characteristics for the usage the OP is seeking.
– Chappo
yesterday

add a comment |

up vote
-2
down vote

"Serendipitous" appears to fit the bill precisely

answered yesterday

whisperycat

151

3

Unfortunately, it does not. Using that word makes the sentence ungrammatical: "I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I serendipitous upon a most challenging question." In fact, the OP is requesting a verb (as some other answers/responses have stated) and serendipitous is an adjective... Serendipitous also has a strong meaning of luck or luckiness, whereas the OP is simply asking for discovering something unexpectedly.
– whatisit
yesterday

3

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer to avoid deletion - for example, adding a published definition for your word, linked to the source. [I note that doing so might have alerted you to the mismatch between your word and what the OP was asking for]. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

Perhaps we should coin the word serendipped. "I serendipped into a pile of rhubarb."
– barbecue
8 hours ago

add a comment |

up vote
-2
down vote

"Serendipitous" appears to fit the bill precisely

answered yesterday

whisperycat

151

3

Unfortunately, it does not. Using that word makes the sentence ungrammatical: "I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I serendipitous upon a most challenging question." In fact, the OP is requesting a verb (as some other answers/responses have stated) and serendipitous is an adjective... Serendipitous also has a strong meaning of luck or luckiness, whereas the OP is simply asking for discovering something unexpectedly.
– whatisit
yesterday

3

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer to avoid deletion - for example, adding a published definition for your word, linked to the source. [I note that doing so might have alerted you to the mismatch between your word and what the OP was asking for]. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

Perhaps we should coin the word serendipped. "I serendipped into a pile of rhubarb."
– barbecue
8 hours ago

add a comment |

up vote
-2
down vote

"Serendipitous" appears to fit the bill precisely

answered yesterday

whisperycat

151

"Serendipitous" appears to fit the bill precisely

answered yesterday

whisperycat

151

answered yesterday

whisperycat

151

answered yesterday

whisperycat

151

answered yesterday

whisperycat

151

3

Unfortunately, it does not. Using that word makes the sentence ungrammatical: "I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I serendipitous upon a most challenging question." In fact, the OP is requesting a verb (as some other answers/responses have stated) and serendipitous is an adjective... Serendipitous also has a strong meaning of luck or luckiness, whereas the OP is simply asking for discovering something unexpectedly.
– whatisit
yesterday

3

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer to avoid deletion - for example, adding a published definition for your word, linked to the source. [I note that doing so might have alerted you to the mismatch between your word and what the OP was asking for]. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

Perhaps we should coin the word serendipped. "I serendipped into a pile of rhubarb."
– barbecue
8 hours ago

add a comment |

3

Unfortunately, it does not. Using that word makes the sentence ungrammatical: "I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I serendipitous upon a most challenging question." In fact, the OP is requesting a verb (as some other answers/responses have stated) and serendipitous is an adjective... Serendipitous also has a strong meaning of luck or luckiness, whereas the OP is simply asking for discovering something unexpectedly.
– whatisit
yesterday

3

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer to avoid deletion - for example, adding a published definition for your word, linked to the source. [I note that doing so might have alerted you to the mismatch between your word and what the OP was asking for]. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

Perhaps we should coin the word serendipped. "I serendipped into a pile of rhubarb."
– barbecue
8 hours ago

Unfortunately, it does not. Using that word makes the sentence ungrammatical: "I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I serendipitous upon a most challenging question." In fact, the OP is requesting a verb (as some other answers/responses have stated) and serendipitous is an adjective... Serendipitous also has a strong meaning of luck or luckiness, whereas the OP is simply asking for discovering something unexpectedly.
– whatisit
yesterday

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer to avoid deletion - for example, adding a published definition for your word, linked to the source. [I note that doing so might have alerted you to the mismatch between your word and what the OP was asking for]. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

Perhaps we should coin the word serendipped. "I serendipped into a pile of rhubarb."
– barbecue
8 hours ago

add a comment |

up vote
-3
down vote

Eureka!

Exclamation of surprising discovery.

answered yesterday

Underground

111

New contributor

2

OP is looking for a verb to fill in the blank in the example sentence they provided.
– Beanluc
yesterday

1

@Beanluc — How about making a verb from it — eureked?
– David
yesterday

3

@David making eureka into a verb is possible... people have been inventing new words for thousands of years. But I've never heard it used as a verb and the three dictionaries that I have searched list it only as 1. an interjection or 2. a city in California. So, I am wondering how this helps with the original question? Using Eureka! mid-sentence both seems to make the sentence ungrammatical, and rather confusing: "I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I Eureka! upon a most challenging question."
– whatisit
yesterday

1

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer - for example, adding a published definition (linked to the source) - but on this occasion you might instead consider deleting what appears to be the wrong solution to this question. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

@whatisit — If I had intended that as a serious answer I would have put it in an answer. It was meant to be humorous. Unfortunately there are stakeholders who would action such a brainshower.
– David
11 hours ago

add a comment |

up vote
-3
down vote

Eureka!

Exclamation of surprising discovery.

answered yesterday

Underground

111

New contributor

2

OP is looking for a verb to fill in the blank in the example sentence they provided.
– Beanluc
yesterday

1

@Beanluc — How about making a verb from it — eureked?
– David
yesterday

3

@David making eureka into a verb is possible... people have been inventing new words for thousands of years. But I've never heard it used as a verb and the three dictionaries that I have searched list it only as 1. an interjection or 2. a city in California. So, I am wondering how this helps with the original question? Using Eureka! mid-sentence both seems to make the sentence ungrammatical, and rather confusing: "I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I Eureka! upon a most challenging question."
– whatisit
yesterday

1

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer - for example, adding a published definition (linked to the source) - but on this occasion you might instead consider deleting what appears to be the wrong solution to this question. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

@whatisit — If I had intended that as a serious answer I would have put it in an answer. It was meant to be humorous. Unfortunately there are stakeholders who would action such a brainshower.
– David
11 hours ago

add a comment |

up vote
-3
down vote

Eureka!

Exclamation of surprising discovery.

answered yesterday

Underground

111

New contributor

Eureka!

Exclamation of surprising discovery.

answered yesterday

Underground

111

New contributor

answered yesterday

Underground

111

New contributor

answered yesterday

Underground

111

answered yesterday

Underground

111

New contributor

Underground is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

2

OP is looking for a verb to fill in the blank in the example sentence they provided.
– Beanluc
yesterday

1

@Beanluc — How about making a verb from it — eureked?
– David
yesterday

3

@David making eureka into a verb is possible... people have been inventing new words for thousands of years. But I've never heard it used as a verb and the three dictionaries that I have searched list it only as 1. an interjection or 2. a city in California. So, I am wondering how this helps with the original question? Using Eureka! mid-sentence both seems to make the sentence ungrammatical, and rather confusing: "I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I Eureka! upon a most challenging question."
– whatisit
yesterday

1

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer - for example, adding a published definition (linked to the source) - but on this occasion you might instead consider deleting what appears to be the wrong solution to this question. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

@whatisit — If I had intended that as a serious answer I would have put it in an answer. It was meant to be humorous. Unfortunately there are stakeholders who would action such a brainshower.
– David
11 hours ago

add a comment |

2

OP is looking for a verb to fill in the blank in the example sentence they provided.
– Beanluc
yesterday

1

@Beanluc — How about making a verb from it — eureked?
– David
yesterday

3

@David making eureka into a verb is possible... people have been inventing new words for thousands of years. But I've never heard it used as a verb and the three dictionaries that I have searched list it only as 1. an interjection or 2. a city in California. So, I am wondering how this helps with the original question? Using Eureka! mid-sentence both seems to make the sentence ungrammatical, and rather confusing: "I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I Eureka! upon a most challenging question."
– whatisit
yesterday

1

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer - for example, adding a published definition (linked to the source) - but on this occasion you might instead consider deleting what appears to be the wrong solution to this question. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

@whatisit — If I had intended that as a serious answer I would have put it in an answer. It was meant to be humorous. Unfortunately there are stakeholders who would action such a brainshower.
– David
11 hours ago

OP is looking for a verb to fill in the blank in the example sentence they provided.
– Beanluc
yesterday

@Beanluc — How about making a verb from it — eureked?
– David
yesterday

@David making eureka into a verb is possible... people have been inventing new words for thousands of years. But I've never heard it used as a verb and the three dictionaries that I have searched list it only as 1. an interjection or 2. a city in California. So, I am wondering how this helps with the original question? Using Eureka! mid-sentence both seems to make the sentence ungrammatical, and rather confusing: "I was browsing through Stack Exchange the other day when I Eureka! upon a most challenging question."
– whatisit
yesterday

Please note, the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. You can edit your answer - for example, adding a published definition (linked to the source) - but on this occasion you might instead consider deleting what appears to be the wrong solution to this question. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the Tour :-)
– Chappo
yesterday

@whatisit — If I had intended that as a serious answer I would have put it in an answer. It was meant to be humorous. Unfortunately there are stakeholders who would action such a brainshower.
– David
11 hours ago

add a comment |

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