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

The ensemble also includes Lydia Peckham as Rosemary Kennedy and Saura Lightfoot-Leon as Kick Kennedy, along with recurring stars like Ben Miles, Cole Doman and Imogen Poots. —Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026

In the case of judo star Alice Bellandi, who plays herself here, that would be a recurring knee problem requiring invasive surgery — witnessed up close in gruesome operating room footage — followed by months of painful PT. —Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026

Emmy winner Julianna Margulies (The Morning Show, The Good Wife) has joined the recurring cast of Dan Fogelman’s hit Hulu series Paradise for Season 3. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026

James Marsden, Shailene Woodley, Thomas Doherty, and Jon Beavers are recurring guest stars. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 21 Apr. 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