recursive

adjective

re·​cur·​sive ri-ˈkər-siv 

1

: of, relating to, or involving recursion

a recursive function in a computer program

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a procedure that can repeat itself indefinitely

a recursive rule in a grammar

recursively adverb

recursiveness noun

Examples of recursive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the core racing feels similar to Mario Kart 8, the courses aren't nearly so recursive or complex. —James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 3 Apr. 2025

The reader is always right there with the character, suspended in a static moment of thought or trapped within their recursive stream of consciousness, circling revelation without ever arriving there. —Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2025

With recursive learning approaches and responsible model development, policymakers can course-correct diplomatic biases and align AI agents with evolving geopolitical realities. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025

OpenAI’s reasoning models include a recursive loop that refines their outputs during inference. —Craig S. Smith, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "recurring repeatedly," from Latin recursus, past participle of recurrere "to run back, run in the opposite direction, return" + -ive; in given senses as translation of German rekurrent or rekursiv — more at recur

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for recursive

• aversive
• coercive
• discursive
• dispersive
• immersive
• subversive
• cursive