frequent

[free-kwuhnt, fri-kwent, free-kwuhnt]

adjective

1. happening or occurring at short intervals.

   to make frequent trips to Tokyo.

2. constant, habitual, or regular.

   a frequent guest.

3. located at short distances apart.

   frequent towns along the shore.

verb (used with object)

1. to visit often; go often to; be often in.

   to frequent the art galleries.

frequent

adjective

1. recurring at short intervals

2. constant or habitual

verb

1. (tr) to visit repeatedly or habitually

Other Word Forms

• frequentable adjective
• frequenter noun
• frequentness noun
• nonfrequent adjective
• nonfrequently adverb
• overfrequent adjective
• overfrequently adverb
• unfrequent adjective
• unfrequently adverb
• unfrequentable adjective
• well-frequented adjective
• frequently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of frequent¹

First recorded in 1400–50; (for the adjective) late Middle English: “ample, profuse,” from Latin frequent-, stem of frequēns “crowded, full, repeated”; verb derivative of the adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of frequent¹

C16: from Latin frequēns numerous; perhaps related to Latin farcīre to stuff

Example Sentences

We worry that less frequent disclosure of important financial information will reduce the attractiveness of those markets.

Read more on Barron's

“He’s a local celebrity now,” said Shelli Selfridge, a clerk at a convenience store where one of Bradshaw’s flowers graces the pavement and his legal problems are a frequent topic of conversation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Many people came for long stays or were frequent patients, and the staff was able to get to know them — and to feel like they were healing them.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Quirk, the chief brokerage officer, said the situation was comparable to an airline that was the least popular among its frequent fliers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Big picture: Americans have kept spending at fairly robust levels the past few years, even amid frequent bouts of pessimism.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• commonplace 
• constant 
• continual 
• incessant 
• intermittent 
• numerous 
• periodic 
• persistent 
• recurrent 
• usual