occur
Occur (verb) means to happen or take place. Example: “The accident occurred just after midnight.”
How to use occur
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo happen, or to come to mind, or to exist somewhere.
Remember the double "r" and single "c" when adding endings: "occurred", "occurring", "occurrence".
Word forms
occurred past tense, occurs singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
This mineral _____ naturally in volcanic rock.
Etymology
From Latin occurrere, "to run to meet, present itself", from ob- ("against") plus currere ("to run").
Synonyms
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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."
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Vocabulary lists that include occur: