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.

---

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)

---

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

"We've shared breaking news, long shifts, plenty of laughter, bad hair days, and the occasional moment of pure chaos. And do you know what? I wouldn't change a second of it."

From BBC

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

From BBC

Welcome back to Don’t Short Yourself, where we share smart money moves each week, often drawn from our own financial wins — and yes, our occasional mistakes — to help you make better decisions with your money.

From MarketWatch

But there were occasional costs—mostly temporary dispossession.

From Literature

This suits investors who want one-time or occasional advice, whether for a single service like investment planning or a broader package including estate planning and tax help.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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