infrequent

adjective

in·​fre·​quent (ˌ)in-ˈfrē-kwənt 

1

: seldom happening or occurring : rare

2

: placed or occurring at wide intervals in space or time

a slope dotted with infrequent pines

infrequent visits

infrequently adverb

Synonyms

• isolated
• occasional
• odd
• rare
• sporadic

Choose the Right Synonym for infrequent

infrequent, uncommon, scarce, rare, sporadic mean not common or abundant.

infrequent implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time.

infrequent family visits

uncommon suggests a frequency below normal expectation.

smallpox is now uncommon in many countries

scarce implies falling short of a standard or required abundance.

jobs were scarce during the Depression

rare suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often implies consequent high value.

rare first editions

sporadic implies occurrence in scattered instances or isolated outbursts.

sporadic cases of influenza

Examples of infrequent in a Sentence

We made infrequent stops along the way.

a shut-in who made infrequent trips to the store

Recent Examples on the Web

Even infrequent flyers will notice that very often their flight arrives ahead of schedule. —Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025

Fast-draining sandy soils require more frequent watering than slower-draining clay soils, which benefit from infrequent yet deep watering that allows water to slowly penetrate deeper into the soil. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2024

Put another way, the fact that actors can be paid so well speaks loudly to how uncertain (and infrequent) the impressive pay is. —John Tamny, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025

For new or infrequent campers, check out comfort items like the Fun Pac Yuzonc Camping Sleeping Pad, now 28 percent off, and the Eddie Bauer Deluxe Outdoor Blanket, now 49 percent off. —Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin infrequent-, infrequens, from in- + frequent-, frequens frequent

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing infrequent

• not infrequent

Kids Definition

infrequent

adjective

in·​fre·​quent (ˈ)in-ˈfrē-kwənt 

1

: seldom happening or occurring

2

: not placed, made, or done at frequent intervals

made infrequent stops

infrequently adverb