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.

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Etymology

Origin of sporadically

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

Example Sentences

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

Everton have competed sporadically in Europe throughout the 21st century, most recently in 2017-18 when they featured in the Europa League.

From BBC

Since the 1970s - when Britain ended trading agreements that had shored up New Zealand's economy and Australia introduced loosened work and travel restrictions - the outflow of people has surged sporadically.

From BBC

Now luxury hotels and shopping malls, high-rise apartment blocks, state-of-the-art airport departure terminals are getting sporadically hit as gaps appear in the Arab states' air defences in the Gulf.

From BBC

Once the Advance had sailed far enough north, letters could only be sent or received sporadically, when passed from ship to ship.

From Literature

Related Words

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