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 even so, over the month-long war, these contacts have been sharing information through intermittent text messages and occasional voice calls.

From BBC

You're subjected to an unwritten contract, where blind devotion is exchanged for intermittent moments of joy - and large amounts of heartache and pain.

From BBC

The power rationing comes on top of the intermittent cuts that have been ongoing since May last year due to maintenance operations.

From BBC

Six different loan moves saw him make intermittent impressions before finding a home at Fulham.

From BBC

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

From BBC

Related Words

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