occasional

American  

[uh-key-zhuh-nl] / əˈkeɪ ʒə nl /

adjective

1. occurring or appearing at irregular or infrequent intervals; occurring now and then.

   an occasional headache.

2. intended for supplementary use when needed.

   an occasional chair.

3. pertaining to, arising out of, or intended for the occasion.

   occasional verses.

4. acting or serving for the occasion or only on particular occasions.

5. serving as the occasion or incidental cause.

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occasional British  

/ əˈkeɪʒənəl /

adjective

1. taking place from time to time; not frequent or regular

2. of, for, or happening on special occasions

3. serving as an occasion (for something)

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Other Word Forms

• occasionality noun
• occasionalness noun
• unoccasional adjective
• unoccasionally adverb

Etymology

Origin of occasional

First recorded in 1560–70; occasion + -al ¹

Example Sentences

It is often more comfortable to make moderate forecasts projecting that recent trends will continue, even if that risks the occasional big miss, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

A small amount of advertising also helps pay for the occasional trip.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Like 59% of families who will now receive more, she is working - in her case, full-time for the local council and doing occasional extra shifts at a pub to top-up her income.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Yet in a post on X, Sam Altman wrote: “I don’t expect them to go any easier on us, am sure I’ll do my part to help enable that with occasional stupid decisions.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Many of the girls threw occasional nervous glances at the door, but there was no sign of the baroness.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• casual
• infrequent
• intermittent
• odd
• particular
• random
• rare
• unusual