recur
/rɪˈkɜːr/To happen or appear again after a period of time or in a repeated way. This word is more formal than happen again and often describes events, problems, or ideas that return periodically, especially in academic or analytical contexts. It differs from similar words by focusing on patterned repetition over time rather than a single return.
- Thoughts of failure recur before exams.
- The melody recurs in the final movement.
Adinary Nuance
Near-neighbors: recur differs from repeat by stressing return after time or in cycles, not each instance; it is more formal than happen again. Unlike reappear, it implies a pattern rather than a single reappearance; writers choose recur in academic contexts for this rhythmic, periodic sense. Think of problems, themes, or memories that come back in a structured way.
In other languages
- Spanish
- Recurrir
- Japanese
- 繰り返す
- Korean
- 반복되다
- Vietnamese
- tái diễn
- Chinese
- 再次发生
Etymology
From Latin 'recurrere' meaning 'run back'; the sense of running or returning underlies its current repeated-occurrence use.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is recur formal or informal?
- Is recur formal or informal?
- What's the difference between recur and repeat?
- What's the difference between recur and repeat?
- How do I use recur in a sentence?
- How do I use recur in a sentence?
- Is recur common in academic writing?
- Is recur common in academic writing?