recursive

American  

[ri-kur-siv] / rɪˈkɜr sɪv /

adjective

1. pertaining to or using a rule or procedure that can be applied repeatedly.

2. Mathematics, Computers. pertaining to or using the mathematical process of recursion.

   a recursive function; a recursive procedure.

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Usage

What does recursive mean? Something that’s recursive is looped, especially in a way that allows a process to keep repeating. Recursive has very specific meanings in math, computer programming, and linguistics, but in each case it involves some form of repetition, especially when part of a sequence or formula relies on previous parts. Such a process is called recursion. Example: The program is recursive: once it finishes its search function, it automatically begins again at the beginning.

Other Word Forms

• recursiveness
  noun
• recursively
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of recursive

First recorded in 1935–40; recurs(ion) + -ive

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Explanation

Something that is recursive has to do with a procedure or rule that is repeated. Think of something that "reoccurs" over and over again, like those fun house mirrors that are angled to present an infinite number of images. The adjective recursive comes from the Latin recurrere. The idea of something being recursive was first used in mathematics in 1934, its most famous application being in the recursive geometry of fractals, images that, when broken down, are created by exact copies of the whole, a continuing process. Another example of a recursive process is the Droste effect, in which a picture contains an exact copy of the picture, which contains a smaller copy, and so on. Dizzy yet?

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

recursive

"It's hard to overstate how dangerous speeding towards RSI is," Wang posted in response to Coxon's resignation, referring to recursive self-improvement, which is a technique where software is designed to continuously teach itself.

From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026

Some model developers think recursive self-improvement—using AI systems to plan and build their own next versions—will be an important part of the evolution.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

This moment’s dilithium crystal is recursive self-improvement, used already in the lab to develop the next models, doing double duty to turn today’s tech dweeb, very pleasurably, into a high priest of the Eschaton.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

Within the industry, experts and researchers believe the first AI company to master recursive self-improvement will kick off exponential development, “winning” the race by making it impossible for competitors to catch up.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

The peculiar charm of this idea—called preformation—was that it was infinitely recursive.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

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Related Words

• circular
• looping
• recurrent
• repeated

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