sporadic

[ spuh-rad-ik ]

adjective

1. (of similar things or occurrences) appearing or happening at irregular intervals in time; occasional:

   sporadic renewals of enthusiasm.

   Antonyms: continuous

2. appearing in scattered or isolated instances, as a disease.
3. isolated, as a single instance of something; being or occurring apart from others.

   Synonyms: unconnected, separate

4. occurring singly or widely apart in locality:

   the sporadic growth of plants.

sporadic

/ spəˈrædɪk /

adjective

1. occurring at irregular points in time; intermittent

   sporadic firing

2. scattered; isolated

   a sporadic disease

Derived Forms

• spoˈradically, adverb
• spoˈradicalness, noun

Other Words From

• spo·rad·i·cal·ly adverb
• spo·rad·i·cal·ness noun
• spo·ra·dic·i·ty [spawr-, uh, -, dis, -i-tee], spo·ra·dism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sporadic¹

First recorded in 1680–90; from Medieval Latin sporadicus, from Greek sporadikós, equivalent to sporad- (stem of sporás “strewn,” akin to sporá “sowing, seed”) + -ikos adjective suffix; spore, -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of sporadic¹

C17: from Medieval Latin sporadicus, from Greek sporadikos, from sporas scattered; related to Greek speirein to sow; see spore

Example Sentences

His campaign has relied on targeted advertising and sporadic outreach events to court African American voters — especially Black men — and has seen an uptick in support.

From Salon

The previously sporadic cross-border fighting between Hezbollah and Israel escalated in October 2023 - when the Lebanese militant group fired at Israeli positions, in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza.

From BBC

Natalie, 43, grew up mostly on the mid Wales coast in Ceredigion, with "very, very loving" parents but money was scarce, her attendance at school was sporadic, and her late father’s drug addiction meant time in rehab.

From BBC

The previously sporadic cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalated on 8 October 2023 - the day after the unprecedented attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip - when Hezbollah fired at Israeli positions, in solidarity with the Palestinians.

From BBC

The previously sporadic cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalated on 8 October 2023 - the day after the unprecedented attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip - when Hezbollah fired at Israeli positions, in solidarity with the Palestinians.

From BBC

Related Words

• desultory
• fitful
• infrequent
• intermittent
• irregular
• isolated
• occasional
• random
• rare
• scattered
• spotty