intermittent
in-ter-MIT-uhnt
/ˌɪntəˈmɪtənt/
Occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady.
Often used for things that 'flicker' or 'pulse', like rain or a radio signal.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'inter' (between) and 'mittere' (to send). It describes something that is 'sent' with gaps 'between' the transmissions.
Word relationships
- sporadic: Sporadic implies more randomness and isolation, while intermittent implies a pattern of stopping and starting.
- fitful: Fitful is often used for sleep or light, implying a restless quality.
- continuous: Continuous means without any interruption at all.
Commonly confused with
- sporadic: Intermittent suggests a thing that is 'on and off', while sporadic suggests things happening 'here and there'.
Word family
- intermittent (adjective): Stopping and starting.
- intermittently (adverb): In an intermittent manner.
Collocations
- intermittent fasting
- intermittent rain
- intermittent fever
- intermittent signal
Example sentences
- "The intermittent flickering of the lamp made it difficult to read the old manuscript." Describing a flickering light in a classic ghost story.
- "The forecast calls for intermittent showers throughout the afternoon." Describing a weather pattern.
Memory hook
Think of an 'Intermission' at a play—it is the 'intermittent' break in the action. Intermittent is on-and-off.
When not to use
Do not use for things that are perfectly regular; use 'periodic' for those.
Fun facts
- Intermittent fasting has become a popular health trend, but the term has been used in medical literature for over a century.
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