sporadically
Americanadverb
-
every now and then; at irregular intervals in time.
Ox-eye sunflowers bloom sporadically throughout the summer.
-
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She has played only sporadically in recent years and the match against Poland's Linette was her first competitive singles outing since the US Open in August.
From Barron's
The Syrian leader, who appears sporadically, has not been seen in public since he unveiled the country's new currency last Monday.
From Barron's
"In reality, not a lot. For now, only sporadically, only some clients," he says.
From BBC
His England career has followed a pattern - he plays sporadically before a major tournament, then becomes a key player when they get there.
From BBC
According to a security source consulted by AFP, "approximately 110 out of more than 700 gas stations are operating sporadically in the capital."
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
