intermittent

adjective

in·​ter·​mit·​tent ˌin-tər-ˈmi-tᵊnt How to pronounce intermittent (audio)
1
: coming and going at intervals : not continuous
intermittent rain
also : occasional
intermittent trips abroad
2
of a stream or body of water : appearing and disappearing seasonally : sometimes dry
intermittently adverb
raining intermittently

Examples of intermittent in a Sentence

In the intermittent light he could make out the shape of a solitary oak tree, spreading great arms from its short tremendous trunk. Susan Cooper, The Dark is Rising, (1973) 1999
Decades of intermittent but recurring controversies with imperial authorities, and the lodestar of the glorious Revolution, disposed Americans to continue to believe that representation existed, first and foremost, to protect the rights of their communities against the abuse of executive power. Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings, 1996
Bronchodilators continue to play an important role in asthma treatment, especially for people who have relatively mild or intermittent attacks. Stephen Hoffmann, Harvard Medical School Health Letter, June 1991
The patient was having intermittent pains in his side. The forecast is for intermittent rain.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And while some similarly reparative serums require some downtime or intermittent usage, this can be applied mindlessly. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025 After the know-nothing county board opts to raze the baseball diamond to make way for a school, the teams meet for one final game at their beloved Soldier’s Field, with girlfriends, kids, and local hooligans as intermittent spectators. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025 The intermittent reward of finding something new and interesting does not allow the brain to relax and get ready to sleep. Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2025 Sarah's approach focused on intermittent fasting, a popular eating pattern that alternates between fasting and eating windows. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for intermittent

Word History

Etymology

Latin intermittent-, intermittens, present participle of intermittere — see intermit

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intermittent was in 1601

Cite this Entry

“Intermittent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intermittent. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

intermittent

adjective
in·​ter·​mit·​tent ˌint-ər-ˈmit-ᵊnt How to pronounce intermittent (audio)
: starting, stopping, and starting again
an intermittent fever
intermittently adverb

Medical Definition

intermittent

adjective
in·​ter·​mit·​tent ˌint-ər-ˈmit-ᵊnt How to pronounce intermittent (audio)
: coming and going at intervals : not continuous
intermittent fever
intermittence noun

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