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.

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intermittent British  

/ ˌɪntəˈmɪtənt /

adjective

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

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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

The intermittent walk-out began over plans to downgrade some job roles, which Unite said would result in up to 170 workers facing an £8,000-a-year pay cut.

From BBC

The findings highlight the importance of calorie balance in achieving health benefits from intermittent fasting.

From Science Daily

An important caveat: delusions six years ago and intermittent bouts of paranoia do not automatically indicate legal incapacity.

From MarketWatch

Tehran has seen intermittent rain since early December after months of dry weather, partially replenishing some of the city's reservoirs but leaving overall levels critically low.

From Barron's

Water availability is intermittent, leaving Cubans sometimes unable to bathe, wash dishes or flush toilets.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• fitful
• infrequent
• occasional
• periodic
• recurrent
• recurring
• seasonal