reoccur: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to MediumNeutral to Slightly Formal
Quick answer
What does “reoccur” mean?
to happen or appear again, particularly after a break or interval.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to happen or appear again, particularly after a break or interval.
A less common variant of 'recur', typically used for isolated events that happen again without necessarily implying a regular pattern or cycle. It can carry a slightly less formal or technical tone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both regions understand and use both terms, but 'recur' is the dominant form. 'Reoccur' might be marginally more accepted in American editorial styles that consciously distinguish it from 'recur', though this is not a strict rule.
Connotations
No significant regional connotative differences. The choice is more stylistic than geographical.
Frequency
'Recur' is significantly more frequent than 'reoccur' in both dialects. 'Reoccur' appears in formal writing (e.g., legal, technical reports) where precise repetition is discussed.
Grammar
How to Use “reoccur” in a Sentence
It + reoccur + (to someone) + that-clause (rare, literary)SUBJ + reoccurThere is a risk/chance/possibility + that + SUBJ + will reoccurVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reoccur” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- If the symptoms reoccur, contact your GP immediately.
- The committee fears the funding issue may reoccur next quarter.
American English
- We've patched the software so the bug shouldn't reoccur.
- The senator warned that the crisis could reoccur without legislative action.
adverb
British English
- The fault appeared reoccurringly throughout the testing phase. (Rare/Formal)
American English
- The error message flashed reoccurringly on the screen. (Rare/Formal)
adjective
British English
- We are analysing the data for any reoccurring patterns.
- It was a reoccurring nuisance for the tenants.
American English
- The team addressed the reoccurring problem with a new protocol.
- She documented the reoccurring dream in her journal.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"We must implement a permanent fix to ensure this supply chain disruption does not reoccur."
Academic
"The study aimed to identify the conditions under which such statistical anomalies reoccur."
Everyday
"I hope that headache doesn't reoccur tonight."
Technical
"The engineers logged the fault and are monitoring the system to see if it reoccurs."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reoccur”
- Spelling: 'reocur' (missing a 'c').
- Confusing 'reoccur' with 'recur' in formal/technical contexts where pattern vs. instance matters.
- Overusing 'reoccur' where simple 'happen again' or 'recur' is more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Recur' often implies a regular or repeated pattern (e.g., a recurring monthly meeting). 'Reoccur' is a more general term for something happening again, often for a specific, possibly one-off, repeat event. In practice, they are frequently used interchangeably, with 'recur' being far more common.
Yes, 'reoccur' is a standard English word, entered in major dictionaries. It is formed from the prefix 're-' (again) and 'occur'. However, it is less frequent than its synonym 'recur'.
Yes, 'reoccurring' is the present participle of the verb, used adjectivally (e.g., 'a reoccurring issue'). Note that 'recurring' is the much more common adjective form.
It is acceptable, but 'recur' is often preferred in formal and academic contexts due to its higher frequency and established usage. If you wish to emphasise a single repetition rather than a pattern, 'reoccur' can be a precise choice.
to happen or appear again, particularly after a break or interval.
Reoccur: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːəˈkɜː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriːəˈkɝː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “History reoccurs. (Variation of 'History repeats itself.')”
- “A recurring/reoccurring theme.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE- (again) + OCCUR (happen). It simply means 'to happen again'.
Conceptual Metaphor
EVENTS ARE ENTITIES THAT RETURN (The problem came back). TIME IS A CYCLE (It happened again).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'reoccur' most appropriately?