incur

To incur something means to become subject to it, usually something unpleasant such as a cost, debt, penalty, or risk. If you miss a payment, you may incur a late fee. If a company breaks a rule, it may incur a fine. The idea is that the result comes because of an action or situation, and now that burden falls on you.

The word is common in formal English, especially in business, law, finance, and official writing. You can incur expenses, debts, losses, or liability. It is sometimes used for duties or obligations too, but most often it appears when someone ends up having to face a cost, problem, or responsibility.

The word "incur" means to become subject to something or to experience a consequence, usually an undesirable one, as a result of your own actions. It suggests that the outcome is brought about by one's own behavior or choices. For example: "He incurred a large debt while gambling," meaning his choices led directly to financial hardship. Or, "The hikers incurred the risk of hypothermia when they ventured into the mountains unprepared."

While "incur" is primarily used for negative consequences, it is a staple of formal and professional language. You will often see it in legal documents, financial reports, contracts, or insurance policies. For instance, a company might incur significant expenses to develop new technology, or a business might incur liability for damages caused by its products. In these contexts, it describes the act of taking on a cost, burden, or legal responsibility.

Historically, "incur" carried the literal sense of "running into" something—like running into trouble. This origin is reflected in the word's modern meaning: you move toward a situation that leads to a particular burden. It is rarely used for purely positive outcomes; you wouldn't typically "incur a reward," but you might incur the costs necessary to earn one.

So whether it's debt, risk, wrath, or a formal obligation, to incur something means to face a consequence that has become yours to deal with as a direct result of your path.