Recurrenthappening repeatedly after gaps of time describes something that happens again and again, especially at intervalsperiods of time between repeated events or in a repeating pattern. It is often used for events, problems, symptomssigns or physical changes that show an illness, or themes that keep coming back.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /rɪˈkɝːrənt/
Easy pronunciation: ri-KUR-uhnt (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable: KUR.
Adjective meaning happening again and again; repeating over time.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Recurrent Meaning
repeating or coming back repeatedly
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: happening again and again; repeating over time
Example: He has recurrent headaches that flare up every few weeks.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- perennial — Can work when something keeps happening over time, but it often suggests something lasting or continually present rather than simply repeating.
- repeated — A close substitute when something happens more than once.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Recurrent Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- repeated
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use recurrent and recurring as if they are exact opposites; they are very close in meaning.
- Do not confuse recurrent with recurrently, which is the adverb form.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does recurrent mean?
Recurrent means happening again and again, usually at intervals.
Is recurrent the same as recurring?
Yes, in most everyday uses they mean almost the same thing.
What are the best synonyms for recurrent?
Repeated is the closest synonym here. Perennial can work in some contexts, but it is less exact.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
