Use iterate for formal repetition, and prefer repeat or reiterate in ordinary speech when the wording sounds too technical.
Use iterate for formal repetition, and prefer repeat or reiterate in ordinary speech when the wording sounds too technical.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| She reiterated the warning again and then iterated it again. | She reiterated the warning and then repeated it. |
| The memo iterated about the deadline. | The memo iterated the deadline. |
| He iterate the rule every morning. | He iterates the rule every morning. |
Use iterate for loops, formulas, experiments, and design cycles, especially with over for collections and on for refinement.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The program iterates the list of users. | The program iterates over the list of users. |
| The team iterated the prototype after testing. | The team iterated on the prototype after testing. |
| The formula iterates from each previous result. | The formula iterates from the previous result. |
Use iterate as a noun mainly in mathematical and algorithmic writing, where each new value comes from applying a rule again.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The iterate points to the next item in the array. | The iterator points to the next item in the array. |
| Each iteration was closer to the root. | Each iterate was closer to the root. |
| The first iterate were unstable. | The first iterate was unstable. |
Use iterate where repetition is deliberate and structured, especially in technical cycles, and keep iterative for the adjective.
An iterate method should be an iterative method, while code usually iterates over data and teams iterate on designs.
From Latin iteratus, past participle of iterare, meaning to do again or repeat, from iterum, meaning again.
What does iterate mean?
It means to repeat something, especially a statement, process, formula, loop, or design cycle.
How is iterate used in computing?
It often means to repeat a loop or go through items one by one, as in iterate over a list.
What does iterate on mean?
Iterate on means to improve something through repeated versions, tests, or feedback rounds.
Is iterate the same as reiterate?
They overlap when repeating a point, but reiterate is more common for saying something again for emphasis.
Can iterate be a noun?
Yes. In mathematics and computing, an iterate is a value or state produced by one step of an iterative process.
Is iterate an adjective?
Modern English normally uses iterative as the adjective, as in iterative method or iterative design.
What is the past tense of iterate?
The regular past tense and past participle are iterated.
Where does iterate come from?
It comes from Latin iterare, meaning to do again or repeat.
What is a common mistake with iterate?
Using iterate as an adjective is usually wrong in modern prose, so write iterative method, not iterate method.