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Synonyms

recurring

American  
[ri-kur-ing, -kuhr-] / rɪˈkɜr ɪŋ, -ˈkʌr- /

adjective

  1. occurring or appearing again.


Other Word Forms

  • recurringly adverb
  • unrecurring adjective

Etymology

Origin of recurring

recur + -ing 1

Explanation

Something recurring happens over and over. When you have a recurring cough, it could be something serious, like bronchitis. This is a word for things that keep popping up or returning, like flowers are a recurring subject of the artist Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings. Recurring lateness is a habit your teacher or boss won’t tolerate. Lots of people have recurring health problems, such as back pain or sore knees. A guest character on a TV show who shows up once in awhile is a recurring character: they just keep coming back.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing recurring

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I incurred a small brokerage cost to build the ladder, but no recurring fees or expenses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Last month, the company shared that its ad-business pilot surpassed $100 million in annual recurring revenue less than two months after the launch.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

El Niño is one phase in a recurring global cycle known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, with its counterpart being La Niña.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

More than macroeconomic uncertainty has weighed on shares: AppLovin is among the names that have been swept up in a broad-based, recurring selloff in software stocks.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Oliver and I had encountered a recurring difficulty in our travels: one African leader after another had ques-tioned us about our relations with white and Indian communists, sometimes suggesting that they controlled the ANC.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela