Close in meaning
Recur vs. Reoccur
Recur means to happen again, often more than once or at regular times, like a recurring headache. Reoccur means to happen again, usually just one more time. Recur is far more common, and most editors prefer it.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| recur | verb | to happen again, especially again and again or at regular times |
| reoccur | verb | to happen again, usually a single time after a gap |
Recur
verb: to happen again, especially again and again or at regular times
- The same billing error keeps recurring every month.
- If the pain recurs, call the clinic right away.
Reoccur
verb: to happen again, usually a single time after a gap
- The flooding reoccurred last spring after ten dry years.
- Engineers want to make sure the power outage never reoccurs.
How to remember the difference
Think of recurring dreams and recurring bills: they come back again and again. Reoccur is simply occur once more. When unsure, pick recur.
Good to know
Reoccur is a real word found in major dictionaries, but many editors see it as an unneeded variant of recur. Watch the spelling: recurred, recurring and recurrence all double the R.
Spot the mistake
Ear infections tend to
reoccurrecur in young children.Correct: Ear infections tend to recur in young children.
Check yourself
Pick the word that fits each sentence.
1. The same question seems to on every final exam.
Answer: recur. It comes back repeatedly, exam after exam, so recur is the better choice.
2. After a single blackout in 2019, the town hopes such an event will never .
Answer: reoccur. It is about one event happening a single time more, the narrow sense of reoccur, though recur would also be accepted.