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

Deadly fires, often linked to electrical faults or gas cylinder explosions, are common in India where investigators have frequently pointed to safety lapses and inadequate enforcement of fire regulations as contributing to recurring loss of life. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Roughly 60% of Brunswick's earnings now come from aftermarket or recurring revenue, and Roth Capital Partners analyst Scott Stember says that mix gives the company meaningful exposure beyond new boat sales. — Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

Nightmares, recurring dreams, dreams of embarrassment, and dreams of flying—each might have a different purpose, still unknown to us. — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 18 Aug. 2026

Grossman will recur in the new prequel series, which picks up after the events of the Raising Kanan series finale. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 18 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