Incur Meaning
/ɪnˈkɜː/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo bring upon oneself or expose oneself to, especially something inconvenient, harmful, or onerous; to become liable or subject to.
verbTo bring upon oneself or expose oneself to, especially something inconvenient, harmful, or onerous; to become liable or subject to., To render (somebody, or oneself) liable or subject to.
Sentence Examples
You do not want to incur the wrath of God.
Additional charges may incur.
CEFR Practice Quiz
If you do not pay the fine on time, you will ____ additional fees.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
If you do not pay your taxes on time, you will likely ____ a very heavy financial penalty.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English incurren, from Anglo-Norman encurir, Middle French encourir, from Old French encorre, from Latin incurrere.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"VVherefore I beſeech every one vvhom it may concerne, to put on a ſerious diſplicence, upon theſe occaſions, that they may not incurre this menace of Chriſt, VVoe be unto you that laugh novv, but rather entitle themſelves to this promiſe of the Holy Ghoſt, They ſhall laugh in the latter day."
— 1648, Walter Montagu, “The Eleventh Treatise. Of Medisance or Detraction. §. II. Some Rules whereby to Square Our Discourse, and an Expedient Offered towards the Correction of Medisance.”, in Miscellanea Spiritualia: Or, Devout Essaies, London: […] W[illiam] Lee, D[aniel] Pakeman, and G[abriel] Bedell, […], →OCLC, page 135:
"[T]he master in his wrath may easily incur worse evil himself than he inflicts—[...]"
— 1891, “The Hellenica”, in Henry Graham Dakyns, transl., The works of Xenophon, Book 5, Chapter 3:
"And here it is to be noted that hatred is incurred as well on account of good actions as of bad;"
— 1910, Nicholas Machiavelli, translated by Ninian Hill Thomson, The Prince, Chapter XIX:
"The least neglect of duty will incur[...] the penalty of thirty-nine well laid on in the morning."
— 1861, Francis Colburn Adams, “Chapter VII”, in An Outcast:
"Lest you incur me much more damage in my fame than you have done me pleasure in preserving my life."
— 1605 August (first performance), Geo[rge] Chapman, Ben Ionson, Ioh[n] Marston, Eastward Hoe. […], London: […] [George Eld] for William Aspley, published September 1605, →OCLC, (please specify the page):
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
If you do not pay the fine on time, you will ____ additional fees.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
If you do not pay your taxes on time, you will likely ____ a very heavy financial penalty.