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Incur Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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incur

[ɪnˈkər ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

finance

Become subject to (something unwelcome or unpleasant) as a result of one's own behavior or actions.

Synonyms

experience, face, suffer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
incur

This word is used when referring to bringing something upon oneself, usually something negative such as debt or expenses.

  • He will incur a huge debt if he continues spending recklessly.
  • The company may incur losses due to the market downturn.
suffer

This word is used to describe undergoing or enduring something painful or unpleasant. It has a negative connotation.

  • She suffered a lot after the accident.
  • The company suffered significant losses due to poor management.
experience

This word is used when referring to going through or living through something, typically referring to events or emotions. It can be neutral, positive, or negative.

  • She experienced great joy when she got the job.
  • They experienced a lot of difficulties during the project.
face

This word is used when confronting or dealing with a challenging situation or problem directly.

  • He had to face his fears to succeed.
  • They face numerous challenges in their quest for success.

Examples of usage

  • He would incur huge debts
  • She incurred the wrath of the authorities
Context #2 | Verb

legal

Become liable or subject to (something unwelcome or unpleasant) as a result of one's own behavior or actions.

Synonyms

incur a charge, incur a penalty, incur debt.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
incur

General use for when someone becomes subject to something unwelcome or burdensome as a result of their actions.

  • He incurred a lot of stress from his demanding job.
  • By not adhering to the guidelines, she incurred extra work.
incur debt

Refers to the situation of taking on or accumulating financial debt.

  • Many students incur debt to pay for their education.
  • He incurred significant debt due to medical expenses.
incur a penalty

Used in situations where a consequence or punishment is imposed due to a violation or an error.

  • Failing to submit the assignment on time will incur a penalty.
  • If you cancel the booking, you might incur a penalty.
incur a charge

Specific to financial contexts where one is subjected to a fee or cost due to some action.

  • By withdrawing money from a foreign ATM, you may incur a charge.
  • Late payment may incur a charge.

Examples of usage

  • Incurred a fine for trespassing
  • Incurred legal expenses

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Context

  • In financial documents, to incur costs means you officially owe money, often through a contract or agreement.
  • Businesses often incur liabilities when they take on debts for expansion or operations.
  • The act of incurring can be a key factor in legal cases, especially when determining negligence or responsibility.

Psychology

  • People often incur stress when faced with unexpected obligations or debts, affecting their mental health.
  • The fear of incurring significant costs can lead to anxiety about spending, known as 'financial anxiety'.
  • Cognitive biases, such as loss aversion, can cause individuals to avoid situations that might incur loss, even if they are beneficial.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters often incur bad luck after making poor choices, highlighting the consequences of their actions.
  • Shows that focus on financial struggles often depict characters incurring debt as a central theme.
  • Musicians sometimes write about the burdens they incur when achieving fame or success, capturing the cost of celebrity.

Education

  • Incur is commonly used in financial literacy programs to teach students about managing debt and expenses.
  • Understanding the concept of incurring charges can help students make informed decisions about credit cards and loans.
  • Discussions around the incurment of costs are pivotal in economic studies, particularly on personal and public finance.

Origin of 'incur'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'incurrere', meaning 'to run into' or 'to fall upon'.
  • This Latin term is made up of 'in-' meaning 'into' and 'currere' meaning 'to run'.
  • It was adopted into Middle English in the 14th century, primarily used in legal and financial contexts.

The word 'incur' originated from the Latin word 'incurrere', which means 'to run into'. The term has been used in English since the late 15th century. Incur is commonly used in finance and legal contexts to indicate becoming subject to something undesirable due to one's actions or behavior.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,476 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.