incur
ihn-KUR
Incur (verb) means to bring a cost, penalty, or consequence upon oneself. Example: “Late payments will incur an additional fee.”
verb
1
To bring a cost, penalty, or consequence upon oneself.
"Late payments will incur an additional fee."
"The company incurred heavy losses during the downturn."
How to use incur
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo end up facing a cost or consequence, usually an unwanted one, as a result of your own actions.
Common pairings
incur costs
incur a penalty
incur debt
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- incurs
- Past tense
- incurred
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Late payments will _____ an additional fee.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman encurir, from Latin incurrere ("to run into, encounter"), from in- plus currere ("to run").
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “incur” mean?
The word “incur” means to bring a cost, penalty, or consequence upon oneself. In plain terms, to end up facing a cost or consequence, usually an unwanted one, as a result of your own actions.
How do you pronounce “incur”?
“Incur” is pronounced ihn-KUR (/ɪnˈkɝ/ in IPA).
How do you use “incur” in a sentence?
Here is “incur” used in a sentence: “Late payments will incur an additional fee.”
What part of speech is “incur”?
“Incur” is a verb.
Where does the word “incur” come from?
The word “incur” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman encurir, from Latin incurrere ("to run into, encounter"), from in- plus currere ("to run").
Is “incur” a common word?
“Incur” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
