Definition of 'occur'

Word Frequency

occur

(əkɜːʳ )

Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense occurs , present participle occurring , past tense, past participle occurred

1. verb

When something occurs, it happens.

If headaches only occur at night, lack of fresh air and oxygen is often the cause. [VERB]

The crash occurred when the crew shut down the wrong engine. [VERB]

In March 1770, there occurred what became known as the Boston Massacre.

2. verb

When something occurs in a particular place, it exists or is present there.

The cattle disease occurs more or less anywhere in Africa where the fly occurs. [VERB adverb/preposition]

These snails do not occur on low-lying coral islands or atolls. [VERB adverb/preposition]

3. verb [no passive, no cont]

If a thought or idea occurs to you, you suddenly think of it or realize it.

It did not occur to me to check my insurance policy. [V to n to-inf]

It occurred to me that I could have the book sent to me. [it V to n that]

The same idea had occurred to Elizabeth. [VERB + to]

More Synonyms of occur

Video: pronunciation of 'occur'

Word Frequency

occur in British

(əˈkɜː )

verb -curs, -curring or -curred (intransitive)

to happen; take place; come about

to be found or be present; exist

3. (foll by to)

to be realized or thought of (by); suggest itself (to)

▶ USAGE It is usually regarded as incorrect to talk of pre-arranged events occurring or happening: the wedding took place (not occurred or happened) in the afternoon

Word origin of 'occur'

C16: from Latin occurrere to run up to, from ob- to + currere to run

Word Frequency

occur in American

(əˈkɜr ; əkʉrˈ)

verb intransitiveWord forms: ocˈcurred or ocˈcurring

to be found; exist

fish occur in most waters

to present itself; come to mind

an idea occurred to him

to take place; happen

SIMILAR WORDS: ˈhappen

Word origin of 'occur'

L occurrere, to run, come up to, meet < ob- (see ob-) + currere, to run: see current

Example sentences containing 'occur'

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Repeat this for each radiator but air pockets often occur in only one or two radiators. The Sun (2010)This new technology means these can be detected in time to stop the disease occurring. The Sun (2012)That seemed odd until the thought occurred that maybe it was a ploy. Times, Sunday Times (2009)The look they seek does not occur anywhere in nature. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Two incidents occurred that night that are important to record. Alexander Masters STUART: A Life Backwards (2005)The crash occurred on a straight section of road. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Suddenly a new thought occurred to me. Times, Sunday Times (2007)Injuries often occur because the muscles surrounding the spine are too weak to support it. Sally Gunnell, Kathryn Leigh BE YOUR BEST: How Anyone can become Fit, Healthy and Confident (2002)Keep an eye out for rust which is an airborne fungal disease that occurs during damp and warm periods. Times, Sunday Times (2013)But freak weather does occur, and less often here than in some countries. Times, Sunday Times (2008)He paused for a moment, as if a new thought had suddenly occurred to him. Times, Sunday Times (2012)