What does incurred mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈkɜːrd/

Part of Speech

Verb

Definition

To incur something means to become responsible for it, often unintentionally, or to suffer from it as a consequence of one’s actions.

Examples

The company incurred significant losses due to the economic downturn.
She incurred the wrath of her boss by showing up late to the meeting.

Synonyms

Suffer
Endure
Encounter

Antonyms

Avoid
Escape
Evade

Additional Information

Incur is often used in financial contexts to describe the accumulation of debt or expenses. For example, a company may incur costs when launching a new product. In a more general sense, incur can also refer to the consequences of one’s actions, such as incurring the anger of someone. It’s an important concept in many areas of life, including business, law, and personal relationships.

Incur is often confused with the word “occur”, which means to happen or take place. While both words are used to describe events or situations, they have distinct meanings and uses.

Etymology

The word “incur” comes from the Latin “incurrere”, meaning “to run into” or “to fall upon”. It has been in use in the English language since the 15th century.

Usage Notes

Incur is often used in formal and professional contexts, such as business, law, and finance. It’s an important concept to understand in these fields, as it can have significant implications for decision-making and risk assessment. In informal contexts, incur can be used more broadly to describe the consequences of one’s actions.

Cultural References

Incur has been used in popular culture to describe the consequences of one’s actions, often in a humorous or ironic way. For example, in the TV show “The Office”, a character might say “I incurred the wrath of my boss” to describe getting in trouble.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Incur the wrath of
Incur a debt
Incur a penalty

Related Words or Phrases

Sustain
Accrue
Amass

Collocations

Incur costs
Incur debt
Incur responsibility

Frequency of Use

Incur is a moderately common word in modern language, often used in formal and professional contexts.