DictionaryAI

occur

verb
Sayuh-KUR/əˈkɝ/UK/əˈkɜː/

Formsoccurs, occurring, occurred

3 meanings of occur

Practice

  1. 1
    happenverbintransitive
    To happen, or to come up, like a chance or a problem.

    The earthquake occurred late at night.

    Accidents often occur when people are tired.

    UsageWrite occurred and occurring with two r's, but occurs with one.

    Note
  2. 2
    come to mindverbintransitive
    To come into your mind as a sudden thought or idea.

    It did not occur to him to ask for help.

    A solution occurred to her while she slept.

    UsageSay it occurred to me that... or it didn't occur to him to ask.

  3. 3
    be foundverbintransitive
    To be present or found in a certain place.

    Many minerals occur deep underground.

    This kind of bird occurs across the whole country.

    UsageOften occur in or occur naturally in a place.

    Similarexist

    Note

Practice

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Origin

It came from Latin 'occurrō', meaning 'run to meet', made from 'ob-' (against) and 'currō' (run). It first meant 'to meet' in an argument.

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 4 facts