sporadically

American  

[spuh-rad-ik-uh-lee] / spəˈræd ɪk ə li /

adverb

1. every now and then; at irregular intervals in time.

   Ox-eye sunflowers bloom sporadically throughout the summer.

2. here and there; in scattered locations.

   Little candles, placed sporadically among the chapel pews, lit up people’s faces.

---

Etymology

Origin of sporadically

First recorded in 1675–85; sporadic ( def. ) + -ally ( def. )

Example Sentences

Through credit facilities, banks offer annual preapproved lines of credit that at times are only used sporadically or in part.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Since then, when he has sporadically been healthy enough to compete, he has said that the most difficult part is simply walking the course.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Lutnick and his family visited Epstein on his island in 2012, and the two were in business and otherwise corresponding sporadically over the years; at least one email suggests they had scheduled drinks.

From Slate • Feb. 14, 2026

Now rubbish is only collected sporadically and despite the oil reserves, the region has been hit by a severe energy crisis over the past decade with blackouts reported almost daily.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026

It also occurs sporadically in New Jersey, where it was introduced in 1911 on a shipment of spruce trees from Holland, and in Michigan, where its method of entry is not known.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Related Words

• intermittently
• now and then
• occasionally
• rarely
• seldom
• sparingly