Words / B2

uh-KUR-uh-ns/əˈkʌrəns/

An occurrence is something that happens, often unwelcome or noteworthy: a rare occurrence, a common occurrence, the occurrence of errors. Event is everyday; incident often implies trouble; frequency is how often. Occur is the verb (already in the dictionary). In speech, something that happens is enough. Do not use occurrence for a planned festival (that is an event), and mind the spelling (double c, double r).

Meaning

Something that happens, especially something unexpected or unwelcome; also how often it happens.

Examples

• “Flooding is no longer a rare occurrence in the valley.”
• “Serious collisions are still a rare occurrence on this stretch.”
• “The study tracked the occurrence of late submissions by faculty, not by rumour.”

Good to know

a rare / common occurrence; the occurrence of. Verb: occur. Everyday: event. Trouble twin: incident. Spelling: occurrence.

Near in meaning

event

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