occur
10 synonyms and 0 antonyms for occur, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To happen or take place.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use occur
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin occurrere, "to run to meet, present itself", from ob- ("against") plus currere ("to run").
Full origin of occur →Frequently asked questions
What does “occur” mean?
The word “occur” means to happen or take place. In plain terms, to happen, or to come to mind, or to exist somewhere.
How do you pronounce “occur”?
“Occur” is pronounced uh-KUR (/əˈkɝ/ in IPA).
How do you use “occur” in a sentence?
Here is “occur” used in a sentence: “The accident occurred just after midnight.”
What is another word for “occur”?
Words with a similar meaning to “occur” include betide, betime, come to pass, happen and take place.
What part of speech is “occur”?
“Occur” is a verb.
Where does the word “occur” come from?
The word “occur” comes from Latin. From Latin occurrere, "to run to meet, present itself", from ob- ("against") plus currere ("to run").
Is “occur” a common word?
“Occur” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “occur” have?
“Occur” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to happen or take place.
What is the difference between occur and happen?
Both mean to take place, and often either works. "Happen" is the everyday, neutral choice, while "occur" sounds a little more formal and is common in writing, science and reports. "Happen" can also suggest chance, as in "it just happened," whereas "occur" tends to state an event more plainly.
What is the difference between occur and recur?
To occur is to happen or take place, usually thought of as a single event. To recur is to happen again, repeatedly or at intervals. If a problem occurs, it has taken place; if it recurs, it keeps coming back. The prefix "re-" adds the sense of repetition.
Is occur formal or informal?
Occur leans formal. It is at home in academic writing, official reports and technical contexts, where it sounds precise and neutral. In casual conversation people usually prefer "happen." Neither is wrong, but choosing "occur" tends to raise the register of a sentence slightly.
What is an example of occur?
"The accident occurred at midnight," "errors can occur during installation," or "a total eclipse occurs rarely." The word states that an event took place, often with a time, place or condition attached. It can also mean to come to mind, as in "it occurred to me."