# recurrent

/ɹiˈkɝənt/ (US) · /ɹɪkˈʌɹənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/recurrent
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. happening repeatedly

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic

happening many times or happening again and again.

For teachers: occurring repeatedly or periodically; frequently used to describe problems, themes, or symptoms.

- The company has struggled with recurrent technical problems all year.
- The novelist explores the recurrent theme of exile throughout her work, suggesting that displacement is a fundamental part of the modern experience.

Usage: Often used to describe negative situations like illnesses, debts, or errors.

### 2. turning back

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

describes a nerve or blood vessel that turns back and runs in the opposite direction.

For teachers: describing a nerve, artery, or vein that curves back toward its origin.

- The doctor explained that the recurrent nerve controls the voice box.
- During the procedure, the surgeon must be careful to identify the recurrent laryngeal nerve to avoid permanent damage to the patient's vocal cords.

Usage: Almost exclusively used in anatomical or botanical contexts.

## Examples

- He suffers from a recurrent back injury.
- The company struggled to fix a recurrent software bug that appeared every time the system updated.
- The novel explores the recurrent theme of isolation, tracing how the protagonist's early childhood experiences echo through his adult relationships and professional failures.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.