recurring
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of recurring
Explanation
Something recurring happens over and over. When you have a recurring cough, it could be something serious, like bronchitis. This is a word for things that keep popping up or returning, like flowers are a recurring subject of the artist Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings. Recurring lateness is a habit your teacher or boss won’t tolerate. Lots of people have recurring health problems, such as back pain or sore knees. A guest character on a TV show who shows up once in awhile is a recurring character: they just keep coming back.
Vocabulary lists containing recurring
List 8
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Number the Stars
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Vocabulary to Describe Literary Devices
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He sees the transition differently: “We see it more as Mike wanting to get back into the banking world, and expect Fiserv to return to a highly recurring mid-single-digit growth business in coming quarters.”
From MarketWatch • Jun. 15, 2026
Money has been a recurring theme of Trump's criticism, taking aim at former President Barack Obama multiple times.
From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026
The brokerage liftsits forecast for Mitsubishi Gas Chemical’s recurring profit for this fiscal year to 82.0 billion yen from 69.5 billion yen.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
"Electricity costs are a recurring topic of discussion at the office or among friends. We use the same amount of electricity as other homeowners but our bill is much lower," Kiltorp continued.
From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026
His recurring illness had turned out to be appendicitis.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.