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Occurred: meaning, definitions and examples

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occurred

 

[ əˈkɜrd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

events happening

The verb 'occurred' is the past tense of the verb 'occur', which means to take place or happen. It is often used to describe events that have transpired in the past. The word can refer to anything from simple occurrences, like a birthday party, to more significant events, such as natural disasters. It's commonly used in various contexts, including academic, formal, and everyday conversation.

Synonyms

arose, came about, happened, took place

Examples of usage

  • The accident occurred late at night.
  • A strange phenomenon occurred during the experiment.
  • The meeting occurred as scheduled.
  • Many changes occurred in the company last year.

Word origin

The word 'occurred' originates from the Latin verb 'occurrere', which means 'to run to', 'to meet', or 'to happen'. It is composed of the prefix 'ob-' meaning 'to' or 'against' and 'currere' meaning 'to run'. The word made its way into Middle English by way of Old French, with changes in spelling and pronunciation occurring over the centuries. Its use in English became widespread by the late 14th century, primarily in the context of describing events or incidents that happen. Today, it is commonly used in both spoken and written English to denote the happening of anything from mundane daily activities to significant historical events.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,148, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.