Recurrent
/rɪˈkʌrənt/
Definitions
Happening or appearing again or repeatedly.
/rɪˈkʌrənt/
Happening or appearing again and again.
The doctor was concerned about his recurrent headaches.
💡 Simply: Imagine a song you can't stop humming, or a problem that keeps popping up. That's 'recurrent' - something that happens over and over.
👶 For kids: Something that happens again and again, like when you keep getting the same question wrong on a test.
More Examples
The financial report highlighted the company's recurrent costs.
The novel explores the recurrent themes of love and loss.
How It's Used
"Recurrent infections can be a sign of an underlying health issue."
"The company's recurrent expenses include rent and salaries."
"She had recurrent dreams about flying."
Idioms & expressions
recurrent decimal
A decimal number that contains digits which are repeated indefinitely.
"The number 1/3 is a recurrent decimal, expressed as 0.3333..."
From Latin *recurrere* ('to run back, to return'), from *re-* ('back') + *currere* ('to run'). The word entered English in the late 17th century.
Historically, the word was used in various contexts related to repetition and cycles, including astronomy and theology.
Memory tip
Think of a "re-current" (again flowing) of events.