DictionaryoccurCome to mind
verb

occur

To come into someone's mind.

A simple solution occurs to me as I wash the dishes.

Etymology

Latin occurrere means to run toward or meet. An idea occurring to someone is pictured as coming to meet the mind or presenting itself to attention.

More examples

  • It never occurred to her to ask for help.
  • Does a better title occur to you?
  • The same question keeps occurring to me during meetings.

Forms

occur · occurs · occurred · occurring

Similar words

dawn
Describes a realization becoming clear, often gradually; used with “on.”
strike
Suggests a thought or realization arriving suddenly and forcefully.