infrequent

[in-free-kwuhnt]

adjective

1. happening or occurring at long intervals or rarely.

   infrequent visits.

   Synonyms: uncommon, rare, scarce

2. not constant, habitual, or regular.

   an infrequent visitor.

3. not plentiful or many.

   infrequent opportunities for advancement.

   Synonyms: uncommon, rare, scarce

4. far apart in space.

infrequent

/ ɪnˈfriːkwənt /

adjective

1. rarely happening or present; only occasional

Other Word Forms

• infrequently adverb
• infrequency noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of infrequent¹

First recorded in 1525–35, infrequent is from the Latin word infrequent- (stem of infrequēns ). See in- ³, frequent

Example Sentences

Whether it’s Morton’s perpetually scowling expression in the infrequent cutaways to Brian’s life back home or the on-the-nose emphasis on looming gray clouds, there’s no question a storm is coming.

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There are infrequent, higher-difficulty plays he’s yet to learn how to handle.

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Instead, the pharmacy may target those discounts to infrequent buyers of those products to avoid losing them as a customer.

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Ravec had concluded that because Prince Harry was going to be an infrequent visitor to the UK, his security needs would be assessed on a case by case basis.

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“I recall the sharp corners of my mother’s arms during her infrequent hugs.”

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Related Words

• meager 
• occasional 
• odd 
• rare 
• sparse 
• sporadic 
• uncommon