intermittently

American  

[in-ter-mit-nt-lee] / ˌɪn tərˈmɪt nt li /

adverb

1. at occasional or uneven intervals.

   This species of flounder spawns mainly during the summer and early fall, but may spawn intermittently throughout the year.

   In this parched landscape, water flows intermittently, with lakes and streams forming in the wet season and disappearing in the dry season.

---

Other Word Forms

• nonintermittently adverb
• unintermittently adverb

Etymology

Origin of intermittently

intermittent ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

The adverb intermittently describes something that starts, then stops, then starts up again. If you studied intermittently last night, that means sometimes you studied but sometimes you took breaks to do other things. If something happens intermittently, it doesn’t happen all the time or in a steady flow, but goes in fits and starts. It might rain intermittently on Monday or your car might intermittently refuse to start. Make sure you spell intermittently with two “t”s. You can blame the Latin for that: intermittently evolved from the Latin root intermittĕre, which means “to cease.”

Example Sentences

"Our study suggests using them intermittently, then activating suction at intervals, might be better. That's because mosquitoes don't tend to stick around their target when both clues aren't used at the same time."

From Science Daily • Mar. 22, 2026

According MarineTraffic data analysed by AFP on Friday, only nine commercial ships -- tankers, cargo vessels and container ships -- had been detected crossing the strait since Monday, with some intermittently masking their position.

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

As children, Mrie and her sister, Alia, were obliged to plead with their father for money, which he supplied only intermittently.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

However, it said many users still do not have full access and can only connect intermittently and for very limited periods, often after repeated attempts.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

Olanna sat opposite three little children in threadbare clothes and slippers who giggled intermittently while their father gave them severe looks.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• occasionally
• periodically
• sporadically