recur

verb

re·​cur ri-ˈkər 

recurred; recurring

intransitive verb

1

: to occur or appear again

the cancer recurred

a problem that keeps recurring

2

: to come again to mind

One of the staffer's comments, however, keeps recurring to me.

—Kevin R. Kosar

3

: to have recourse : resort

… are no longer willing to recur to Congress to repeal unconstitutional laws …

—Joe Wolverton

4

: to go back in thought or discourse

… on recurring to my letters of that date …

—Thomas Jefferson

Examples of recur in a Sentence

There is only a slight chance that the disease will recur.

The same problem keeps recurring.

Recent Examples on the Web

Injuries have been a recurring theme for Spurs in recent seasons and De Zerbi is still contending with a number of key absences in his squad. — David Ornstein, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Though her books continue to be adapted into movies and recurring series, Moriarty has always hesitated to write a sequel. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Their work often critiques communism in China and the Cultural Revolution, with Mao Zedong expectedly serving as a recurring subject in their artistic endeavors. — News Desk, Artforum, 25 Aug. 2026

Victor Garber, Greg Germann, Judy Gold, Ego Nwodim, Harry Richardson and Constance Wu were among the recurring guest stars. — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin recurrere "to run back, return, have recourse (to)," from re- re- + currere "to run" — more at current entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1512, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for recur

• chauffeur
• cockspur
• concur
• confer
• defer
• demur
• deter
• hotspur
• incur
• infer
• inter
• jagir

Kids Definition

recur

verb

re·​cur ri-ˈkər 

recurred; recurring

1

: to go or come back in thought or discussion

2

: to come again into the mind

3

: to occur or appear again

recurrence

-ˈkər-ən(t)s 

-ˈkə-rən(t)s

noun

Medical Definition

recur

intransitive verb

re·​cur ri-ˈkər 

recurred; recurring

: to occur again after an interval

a disease likely to recur