sporadic

Sometimes spo·rad·i·cal

[spuh-rad-ik]

adjective

1. (of similar things or occurrences) appearing or happening at irregular intervals in time; occasional.

   sporadic renewals of enthusiasm.

   Antonyms: continuous

2. appearing in scattered or isolated instances, as a disease.

3. isolated, as a single instance of something; being or occurring apart from others.

   Synonyms: unconnected, separate

4. occurring singly or widely apart in locality.

   the sporadic growth of plants.

sporadic

/ spəˈrædɪk /

adjective

1. occurring at irregular points in time; intermittent

   sporadic firing

2. scattered; isolated

   a sporadic disease

Other Word Forms

• sporadically adverb
• sporadicalness noun
• sporadicity noun
• sporadism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sporadic¹

First recorded in 1680–90; from Medieval Latin sporadicus, from Greek sporadikós, equivalent to sporad- (stem of sporás “strewn,” akin to sporá “sowing, seed”) + -ikos adjective suffix; spore, -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of sporadic¹

C17: from Medieval Latin sporadicus, from Greek sporadikos, from sporas scattered; related to Greek speirein to sow; see _spore

Example Sentences

Across the city in Aston, Rob Brough, 56, said his general waste collections were also sporadic, with locals managing through regular tip runs.

From BBC

Another factor in the Olympic rental market is Southern California’s uneven, sporadic enforcement of short-term rental regulations.

From Los Angeles Times

The price of machines always stayed the same, and sporadic surcharges “would not align with the pricing and reporting structure of the L.A. County contract,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Her avant-garde exaggerated ruffles, engulfing puff sleeves and sporadic seafarer motifs have since been fast-tracked into the world of celebrity stylists, red carpets, music video sets and the stages of touring musicians.

From Los Angeles Times

The UN has repeatedly called for the full and sustained entry of humanitarian supplies, but access remains sporadic and many aid trucks are looted.

From BBC

Related Words

• desultory 
• fitful 
• infrequent 
• intermittent 
• irregular 
• isolated 
• occasional 
• random 
• rare 
• scattered 
• spotty