occurrence
11 synonyms for occurrence, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Something that happens; an event or instance.
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 occurrence
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
common occurrence
rare occurrence
daily occurrence
Etymology
From "occur" plus the noun-forming suffix "-ence".
Full origin of occurrence →Frequently asked questions
What does “occurrence” mean?
The word “occurrence” means something that happens; an event or instance. In plain terms, an event, or how often something happens.
How do you pronounce “occurrence”?
“Occurrence” is pronounced uh-KUHR-uhns (/əˈkɜɹ.əns/ in IPA).
How do you use “occurrence” in a sentence?
Here is “occurrence” used in a sentence: “Power cuts are a rare occurrence in this area.”
What is another word for “occurrence”?
Words with a similar meaning to “occurrence” include affair, befalling, episode, event, goings-on and happening.
What part of speech is “occurrence”?
“Occurrence” is a noun.
Is “occurrence” a common word?
“Occurrence” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between an occurrence and an incident?
An occurrence is simply something that happens, a neutral term for any event or instance, while an incident often implies something notable, unexpected, or sometimes negative, such as an accident or dispute. All incidents are occurrences, but not all occurrences rise to the level of being called an incident.
What does it mean when something is described as a rare occurrence?
Describing something as a rare occurrence means the event happens infrequently or unusually, making it notable when it does happen. The phrase is commonly used in weather, science, and everyday reporting to highlight how uncommon an event is.
What is the difference between occurrence and occasion?
Occurrence refers neutrally to something happening, an event or instance in general, while occasion often implies a specific, sometimes special or notable point in time, such as a celebration or particular moment. Occasion also carries a sense of timing or context that occurrence does not necessarily require.
