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

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

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