occur

[ uh-kur ]

verb (used without object)

occurred, occurring.

1. to happen; take place; come to pass:

   When did the accident occur?

   Synonyms: befall

2. to be met with or found; present itself; appear:

   Modest amounts of fructose occur naturally in fruits and vegetables.

   Synonyms: offer, exist, arise

3. to suggest itself in thought; come to mind (usually followed by to ):

   An idea occurred to me.

occur

/ əˈkɜː /

verb

1. to happen; take place; come about
2. 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

Other Word Forms

• pre·oc·cur verb (used without object) preoccurred preoccurring
• re·oc·cur verb (used without object) reoccurred reoccurring
• un·oc·cur·ring adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of occur¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin occurrere “to run to meet, arrive, meet,” equivalent to oc- oc- + currere “to run”

Word History and Origins

Origin of occur¹

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

Synonym Study

See happen.

Example Sentences

Species are dying off, sea levels are rising and extreme weather events are occurring more frequently.

From Los Angeles Times

The video cuts to a message from the police: “The officer and the suspect begin to struggle over the officer’s handgun and an officer involved shooting occurs.”

From Los Angeles Times

"If any such detention did occur, it would have been a product of complex internal military dynamics," said Arafat.

From BBC

She added officials believe the tampering may have occurred on Friday.

From BBC

It is investigating how overpayments of Carer's Allowance have occurred, what can be done to support those overpaid, and how to reduce the risk of these problems occurring in future.

From BBC

Related Words

• appear
• arise
• crop up
• develop
• ensue
• exist
• follow
• go
• materialize
• result
• show
• take place
• transpire