recur
To happen again or repeatedly
Examples
In a meeting
“This error keeps recurring every time we run the report.”
Over coffee
“My headaches recur whenever I don't get enough sleep.”
Why this word
repeat
Recur specifically indicates something happening again at intervals or periodically, while repeat can mean any kind of doing again, including immediate or deliberate repetition
return
Recur emphasizes the pattern of coming back multiple times, while return might suggest just coming back once
happen again
Recur is more concise and implies a pattern or tendency to occur repeatedly, while happen again is vaguer about frequency or pattern
Usage tip
Use for patterns or events that happen multiple times, not just twice
Etymology
Latin recurrere meaning 'to run back' from re- 'again' + currere 'to run'
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Related words
reiteration
The act of saying something again for emphasis or clarity
perpetuate
To cause something to continue indefinitely
sporadic
Occurring at irregular intervals or only occasionally
fluctuate
To rise and fall irregularly in number or amount.
intermittently
Occurring at irregular intervals, not continuously
perpetuated
To cause something to continue indefinitely