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intermittent

American  
[in-ter-mit-nt] / ˌɪn tərˈmɪt nt /

adjective

  1. stopping or ceasing for a time; alternately ceasing and beginning again.

    an intermittent pain.
    Synonyms:
    sporadic, interrupted

  2. alternately functioning and not functioning or alternately functioning properly and improperly.

  3. (of streams, lakes, or springs) recurrent; showing water only part of the time.

intermittent British  
/ ˌɪntəˈmɪtənt /

adjective

  1. occurring occasionally or at regular or irregular intervals; periodic

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • intermittence noun
  • intermittency noun
  • intermittently adverb
  • nonintermittence noun
  • nonintermittent adjective
  • nonintermittentness noun
  • unintermittent adjective

Etymology

Origin of intermittent

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin intermittent- (stem of intermittēns ), present participle of intermittere “to leave a space between, drop off (for a while)”; intermit, -ent

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.

If you loved creating a whole personality around intermittent fasting, welcome: You’ve found your people.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

The power rationing comes on top of the intermittent cuts that have been ongoing since May last year due to maintenance operations.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Concerns about intermittent loading delays at key Gulf export terminals could also tighten near-term oil supply availability.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Oil has dictated broader market moves since the conflict began at the end of last month, with surging crude prices weighing heavily on stocks, and intermittent pullbacks enticing investors back into risk markets.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

Hazel told Kehaar’s news and a long, disorderly, intermittent discussion began.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

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.