occasional

[ uh-key-zhuh-nl ]

/ əˈkeɪ ʒə nl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR occasional ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

occurring or appearing at irregular or infrequent intervals; occurring now and then: an occasional headache.

intended for supplementary use when needed: an occasional chair.

pertaining to, arising out of, or intended for the occasion: occasional verses.

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

serving as the occasion or incidental cause.

Nearby words

occam, occam's razor, occam, william of, occas., occasion, occasional, occasional licence, occasional table, occasionalism, occasionally, occasions

Origin of occasional

First recorded in 1560–70; occasion + -al¹

Related forms

oc·ca·sion·al·ness, oc·ca·sion·al·i·ty, nounun·oc·ca·sion·al, adjectiveun·oc·ca·sion·al·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for occasional

Contrary to what you may assume about me, I actually enjoy the occasional trip to the mall.
It’s Always Black Friday for Clerks|Michael Tomasky|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Occasional, more traditional efforts have met with success—the Big Apple Circus and lingering smaller acts.
We’re All Carnies Now: Why We Can’t Quit the Circus|Anthony Paletta|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And, again, I now confess, I had an occasional Bourbon and stoogie on the cuff.
Up to a Point: In Defense of Lobbyists|P. J. O’Rourke|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Manning's antics have earned him inches in print and occasional spots on television.
‘Crazy’ Harlem Pastor Hates on Obama and Gays|Olivia Nuzzi|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

OK, she over-sings at times, and an occasional touch of shrillness enters her voice.
Can Lady Gaga Do Jazz?|Ted Gioia|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An occasional pacifying answer from my two neighbours failed of its effect.
The Passing of the Turkish Empire in Europe|B. Granville Baker
Hayne's work is even less important, for he did not, like Timrod and Lanier, touch an occasional height of inspired utterance.
American Men of Mind|Burton E. Stevenson
It kept on raining very hard, and there were occasional lightning flashes and crashes of thunder.
Baartock|Lewis Roth
The Meads would be quite a good old place in which to spend an occasional furlough.
Etheldreda the Ready|Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
But occasional acts of drunkenness, if the seaman in other respects performs his duty, will not deprive him of his wages.
The Seaman's Friend|Richard Henry Dana

British Dictionary definitions for occasional

occasional

/ (əˈkeɪʒənəl) /

adjective

taking place from time to time; not frequent or regular

of, for, or happening on special occasions

serving as an occasion (for something)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

occasional

adjective

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Origin of occasional

Related forms

Examples from the Web for occasional

British Dictionary definitions for occasional

occasional

adjective