frequent
Americanadjective
-
happening or occurring at short intervals.
to make frequent trips to Tokyo.
-
constant, habitual, or regular.
a frequent guest.
-
located at short distances apart.
frequent towns along the shore.
verb (used with object)
-
frequents,
present (3rd person singular)
-
frequented,
past participle, past
-
frequenting
present participle
adjective
-
recurring at short intervals
-
constant or habitual
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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frequenternoun
-
frequentnessnoun
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frequentableadjective
-
nonfrequentadjective
-
overfrequentadjective
-
unfrequentadjective
-
unfrequentableadjective
-
well-frequentedadjective
-
frequentlyadverb
-
nonfrequentlyadverb
-
overfrequentlyadverb
-
unfrequentlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
frequentsimple
-
frequentssimple
-
have frequentedperfect
-
has frequentedperfect
-
am frequentingprogressive
-
are frequentingprogressive
-
is frequentingprogressive
-
have been frequentingperfect progressive
-
has been frequentingperfect progressive
Past
-
frequentedsimple
-
had frequentedperfect
-
was frequentingprogressive
-
were frequentingprogressive
-
had been frequentingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of frequent
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
Explanation
Use the adjective frequent to describe something done often and at regular intervals. If your family likes to read, you may be a frequent visitor to the library. You may also have frequent arguments with your family about who gets to read a book first. The adjective form of frequent also means regularly and often encountered. If you live on the windward side of Oahu, Hawaii, you may experience frequent rain showers. As a verb, frequent means to be a regular visitor or to patronize. You can frequent the trails of the National Parks. You may prefer to frequent locally-owned businesses.
Vocabulary lists containing frequent
List 3
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Academic Vocabulary: Core Tier 2 Words, List 2
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Rosetta Stone's Essential Academic Vocabulary: Lesson 3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"Both are costs that can add up for frequent travellers," the CMA said.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
Alaska says Starlink is coming to its wide-body planes later this year, a refrain frequent fliers hear far too often from airline executives these days.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
He accused Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas last September of using “street verbiage” in her frequent criticisms of Trump.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
By Wednesday, an area of low pressure will bring sunny spells and frequent showers across north-west England, Northern Ireland and southern Scotland.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
“It cannot be always or indeed even frequent, for we are not rich, you understand.”
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
Tresvant previously worked for Nike as chief marketing officer of the Jordan brand, which is wildly popular among younger consumers — the same group that often frequents Taco Bell.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026
She shared a photo in the Amateur Microscopy Facebook group she frequents, noting it’s “the most famous algae in the world right now!!”
From Slate ● Jun. 27, 2026
She plans to rewear an old dress for her son’s college graduation next month after being shocked by the $100-plus prices at the online retailers she frequents.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 28, 2026
The Ocean's Twelve star said she also frequents flea markets and buys artwork while travelling.
From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2026
He told her about the wild and crazy parties he frequents with his entourage of drag queens, which got Lorena worked up.
From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez
Today, the park is Greenville’s heart and lungs, frequented by joggers, walkers and cyclists.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026
Witnesses working in a nearby restaurant said police had used tasers to arrest the woman, who was known locally as a homeless person who regularly frequented the area.
From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026
The properties are right on the water and have been frequented by several high-profile guests over the years, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Jennifer Aniston, and former President Barack Obama.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026
As a means of crowd control, the National Park Service has attempted to funnel people out of the valley, where the majority of tourists spend their time and into its less frequented locations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
This was usually not a heavy burden, as the nobility who frequented the Eolian usually gave money or gifts to performers who pleased them.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
I got my driver’s license and started frequenting independent coffee shops with exposed brick and pour-overs.
From Salon ● Mar. 31, 2026
As Wong and her team fought back, residents continued frequenting the space, donating their own books, tables and benches.
From BBC ● Mar. 7, 2026
Zach Haroutunian was a student in Boston in 2014 when he began frequenting Saks Fifth Avenue for Balenciaga sneakers, Dolce & Gabbana bags and other designer clothes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 25, 2025
While the crossings remain closed, life has regained a semblance of normality, with bakers kneading bread, fruit and vegetable sellers wheeling out their carts, and customers frequenting shops.
From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2025
John found great comfort in reading Spiritualist publications and started frequenting mediums.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
