First Known Use: circa 1615
Dictionary
infrequent
adjective in·fre·quent \(ˌ)in-ˈfrē-kwənt\
: not happening often : not frequent
Full Definition of INFREQUENT
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>
— in·fre·quent·ly adverb
See infrequent defined for English-language learners
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Origin of INFREQUENT
Latin infrequent-, infrequens, from in- + frequent-, frequens frequent
Related to INFREQUENT
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
INFREQUENTLY Defined for Kids
infrequent
adjective in·fre·quent \in-ˈfrē-kwənt\
Definition of INFREQUENT for Kids
1
: seldom happening : rare
2
: not placed, made, or done at frequent intervals <The bus made infrequent stops.>
— in·fre·quent·ly adverb
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