happen; take place, exist or be found to be present in a particular place or under particular circumstances

occur to someone, it occurs to someone that, as it occurs to someone

Formal and Informal Expressions of occur

In different contexts, you can replace 'occur' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'take place, transpire' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'happen, go down' is a commonplace synonym.

occur: Explore its Definition & Usage

occur Definition

1happen; take place
2exist or be found to be present in a particular place or under particular circumstances

Using occur: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "occur" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The accident occurred at 5:30 pm.
Example
It never occurred to me that he might be lying.
Example
An idea occurred to her while she was driving.
Example
A strange feeling occurred to him.

occur Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for occur

happen
transpire
arise
take place
come about

Antonyms for occur

Phrases with occur

occur to someone
come into someone's mind
Example
It suddenly occurred to me that I had left my keys in the car.
it occurs to someone that
someone realizes or understands something
Example
It occurred to me that I had forgotten to lock the door.
as it occurs to someone
at the moment when someone realizes or understands something
Example
As it occurred to him that he was lost, he started to panic.

Origins of occur

from Latin 'occurrere', meaning 'run to meet'

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Summary: occur in Brief

'Occur' [əˈkəː] means to happen or take place, or to exist or be found in a particular place or under particular circumstances. It is often used to describe sudden realizations, as in 'An idea occurred to her while she was driving.' 'Occur' can be formalized as 'take place' or 'transpire,' or informally expressed as 'happen' or 'go down.'