intermittent

American  

[in-ter-mit-nt] / ˌɪn tərˈmɪt nt /

adjective

1. stopping or ceasing for a time; alternately ceasing and beginning again.

   an intermittent pain.

   Synonyms:

   sporadic, interrupted

2. alternately functioning and not functioning or alternately functioning properly and improperly.

3. (of streams, lakes, or springs) recurrent; showing water only part of the time.

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intermittent British  

/ ˌɪntəˈmɪtənt /

adjective

1. occurring occasionally or at regular or irregular intervals; periodic

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Other Word Forms

• intermittence noun
• intermittency noun
• intermittently adverb
• nonintermittence noun
• nonintermittent adjective
• nonintermittentness noun
• unintermittent adjective

Etymology

Origin of intermittent

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin intermittent- (stem of intermittēns ), present participle of intermittere “to leave a space between, drop off (for a while)”; intermit, -ent

Example Sentences

But after years of intermittent water shortages, residents say they are fed up.

From BBC

Concerns about intermittent loading delays at key Gulf export terminals could also tighten near-term oil supply availability.

From The Wall Street Journal

Concerns about intermittent loading delays at key Gulf export terminals could also tighten near-term oil supply availability.

From The Wall Street Journal

Oil has dictated broader market moves since the conflict began at the end of last month, with surging crude prices weighing heavily on stocks, and intermittent pullbacks enticing investors back into risk markets.

From Barron's

Improved battery storage technology is also helping with the intermittent nature of solar and wind power.

From Barron's

Related Words

• fitful
• infrequent
• occasional
• periodic
• recurrent
• recurring
• seasonal