What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
recurrent
Example
She has recurrent nightmares about falling. [recurrent: adjective]
Example
The company is experiencing recurrent financial problems. [recurrent: adjective]
repeated
Example
He made repeated attempts to contact her. [repeated: adjective]
Example
She repeated the same mistake over and over again. [repeated: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Repeated is more commonly used than recurrent in everyday language. Repeated is a more general term that can be used in a wide range of contexts, while recurrent is more specific and often used in technical or specialized fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between recurrent and repeated?
Both recurrent and repeated are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
