sporadic
spuh-RAD-ik
/spəˈrædɪk/
Occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places; scattered or isolated.
Implies a lack of any pattern whatsoever. It is more 'random' than 'intermittent'.
The story behind the word. From the Greek 'sporadikos', meaning 'scattered', which comes from 'spora' (seed). Think of seeds being scattered randomly on the ground.
Word relationships
- occasional: Occasional is more everyday; sporadic sounds more clinical or serious.
- erratic: Erratic implies unpredictability in behavior; sporadic implies unpredictability in timing.
- frequent: Frequent means happening often.
- regular: Regular implies a predictable pattern.
Commonly confused with
- intermittent: Intermittent is like a blinking light; sporadic is like a light that only blinks when it feels like it.
Word family
- sporadically (adverb): In a scattered or irregular way.
Collocations
- sporadic gunfire
- sporadic fighting
- sporadic interest
Example sentences
- "There were sporadic outbreaks of violence in the city after the election results were announced." Describing conflict.
- "His sporadic attendance at meetings eventually led to his dismissal." Describing a career.
Memory hook
Sporadic sounds like 'Spore'. Mushrooms grow from spores in random, scattered places. Popcorn popping in a microwave.
When not to use
Don't use if there is a rhythm or predictable schedule.
Fun facts
- In medicine, a 'sporadic disease' is one that occurs only occasionally and in scattered instances, rather than as an epidemic.
Related words
Explore more words
intermittent, haphazard, idiosyncratic, synchronicity, piecemeal, skirmish
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