- present participle of recur.
recurring
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of recurring
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.
Vocabulary lists containing recurring
List 8
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Number the Stars
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Vocabulary to Describe Literary Devices
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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.
Apples are by far the most widely harvested tree fruit in Germany, and the agency said the decline was due to "recurring heatwaves and persistent dry weather during the spring and summer of 2026".
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
The company, which has annual recurring revenue of about $350 million, is now looking to raise $500 million at a valuation of $15.5 billion, according to a person familiar with the matter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
Bradnam said he had identified "recurring humidity control failures" affecting facilities and "elevated humidity levels" had been found.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
This pattern could influence shopping decisions, habits, and recurring routines, especially when people continue choosing familiar options despite the availability of equal or better alternatives.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 13, 2026
You are given a hierarchy, recurring characters, the help of repetition, of anticipation, the firm hold of a long history.
From "Every Day" by David Levithan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
