periodically

[peer-ee-od-ik-lee]

adverb

1. at irregular intervals of time; intermittently.

   Internships of various types are available periodically.

   You will need to recharge the battery periodically; the recharge interval will vary depending upon use.

2. at regular or somewhat regular intervals of time.

   By periodically—perhaps monthly—performing this test, you can quantitatively assess the impact of your training.

Other Word Forms

• nonperodically adverb
• quasi-periodically adverb
• unperiodically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of periodically¹

periodical ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Breaking the fourth wall is something Ms. Case returns to periodically, which helps make her stories feel as intimate as conversations.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

On top of it all, the president has made little progress in ending wars in Ukraine and elsewhere that have periodically upset markets.

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The path fades and reappears with the seasons, showing that whoever is using it only does so periodically.

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California driver’s license and identification cards are updated periodically to improve security, according to DMV officials.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And in a running gag, her face periodically melts off, requiring a glam squad equivalent to a pit crew, and at one point, it seems to take on a life of its own.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• annually 
• regularly 
• repeatedly 
• systematically