frequent

1 of 2

verb

fre·​quent frē-ˈkwent  ˈfrē-kwənt 

frequented; frequenting; frequents

transitive verb

1

: to associate with, be in, or resort to often or habitually

a bar frequented by sports fans

a restaurant frequented by local politicians

2

archaic : to read systematically or habitually

frequentation

ˌfrē-ˌkwen-ˈtā-shən 

-kwən-

noun

frequenter noun

frequent

2 of 2

adjective

fre·​quent ˈfrē-kwənt 

1

a

: common, usual

a frequent practice among these people

b

: happening at short intervals : often repeated or occurring

a bus making frequent stops

2

obsolete : full, thronged

3

: acting or returning regularly or often

a frequent visitor

a frequent customer

4

archaic : intimate, familiar

frequentness noun

Synonyms

Verb

• affect
• habituate
• hang (at)
• haunt
• resort (to)
• visit

Adjective

• constant
• habitual
• periodic
• periodical
• regular
• repeated
• steady

Examples of frequent in a Sentence

Verb

He began frequenting cheap bars.

a neighborhood frequented by tourists

a restaurant frequented by local politicians

Adjective

We made frequent trips to town.

This bus makes frequent stops.

She was a frequent visitor to the museum.

He is one of our most frequent customers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Kathy had gone to a bar to meet a girlfriend but did not realize that the establishment was frequented almost exclusively by bikers. —EW.com, 21 June 2024

Without one, there is no way to diagnose and track outcomes of people frequenting the emergency department or primary care offices in search of reassurance and relief from anxiety. —Hal Rosenbluth, STAT, 17 June 2024

Adjective

Still, seeing Border Patrol’s trucks and helicopters on the reservation and frequent questioning by agents also makes many of the Nation’s residents bristle. —Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN, 24 June 2024

If frequent frustration and failure are one side of the coin of leading an F1 feeder series, hope is the other. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 22 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

Middle English, ample, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, crowded, from Latin frequent-, frequens

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing frequent

• frequent-flier
• frequent-flyer

Kids Definition

frequent

1 of 2 adjective

fre·​quent ˈfrē-kwənt 

1

: happening often

made frequent trips to town

2

: regular entry 1 sense 3b, habitual

a frequent visitor to the museum

frequently adverb

frequentness noun

frequent

2 of 2 verb

fre·​quent frē-ˈkwent 

ˈfrē-kwənt

: to visit, associate with, or go to often

frequents the library

frequenter noun