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

That's neat in a recursive technological horror kind of way. —ArsTechnica, 13 June 2025

This compresses multiple proofs into one through recursive zk-SNARKs, like stacking blocks into a single structure. —Ayush Gupta, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

The bottom of the second presented a different, but equally recursive Red Sox problem. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 June 2025

Seemingly every science-fiction novel ever written about A.I. suggests that implementing recursive self-improvement is a bad idea. —Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 27 May 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