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

Origin of occasional

First recorded in 1560–70; occasion + -al¹

Related formsoc·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

Word Origin and History for occasional

occasional

adj.

late 14c., "occurring now and then," from occasion (n.) + -al (1). Meaning "casual" is 1560s. Meaning "happening on or pertaining to a particular occasion" is from 1630s. Of furniture, etc., from 1749.

occasional

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of occasional

Examples from the Web for occasional

occasional

adjective

occasional