fitful

[fit-fuhl]

adjective

1. coming, appearing, acting, etc., in fits fit or by spells; recurring irregularly.

   Synonyms: haphazard, erratic, intermittent, sporadic

fitful

/ ˈfɪtfʊl /

adjective

1. characterized by or occurring in irregular spells

   fitful sleep

Other Word Forms

• fitfully adverb
• fitfulness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fitful¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; fit ² + -ful

Example Sentences

Sánchez tried to get some sleep, but it was a fitful rest.

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Take the Los Angeles Dodgers and the team’s fitful response to the immigration raids terrorizing large swaths of its fan base.

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We dressed for the day, then returned to bed for a couple of hours of fitful sleep, ready to go when we needed to.

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We dressed for the day, then returned to bed for a couple hours of fitful sleep, ready to go when we needed to.

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A dry wind was already stirring when the sun rose over Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, fitful gusts whipping palm fronds seaward and making eucalyptus limbs creek and groan.

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Related Words

• desultory 
• intermittent 
• periodic 
• spotty