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Infrequency Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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infrequency

[ษชnหˆfriหkwษ™nsi ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

rarely occurring

The state or quality of being infrequent; rareness; uncommonness.

Synonyms

rarity, scarcity, sparsity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
infrequency

Infrequency is generally used to describe how seldom something happens. It is often used in more formal contexts or scientific discussions.

  • The infrequency of earthquakes in this region makes it a safe place to live.
  • The infrequency of meetings allows for more independent work.
rarity

Rarity often refers to how uncommon or unique something is. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts, but it has a more neutral or even positive connotation.

  • The rarity of this gemstone makes it highly valuable.
  • It is a rarity to find such dedication in young athletes.
scarcity

Scarcity describes a situation where something is in short supply, and often has a negative connotation. It is commonly used in discussions about resources, economics, and environmental issues.

  • The scarcity of clean water is a major concern in many developing countries.
  • Due to the scarcity of good jobs, many people are moving to other cities.
sparsity

Sparsity indicates something is thinly spread or distributed, such as population density or data points. It can be used in both technical and general contexts.

  • The sparsity of trees in the desert creates a harsh environment.
  • Data sparsity can make statistical analysis more challenging.

Examples of usage

  • The infrequency of his visits made his friends worry about his health.
  • There was an infrequency of rain in the region, leading to drought conditions.
Context #2 | Noun

lack of regularity

The state of not happening or being done regularly; irregularity.

Synonyms

inconstancy, irregularity, sporadicity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
infrequency

Used when referring to something that happens rarely or at long intervals.

  • The infrequency of their meetings made it difficult to maintain a close relationship.
  • The infrequency of flights to the island made traveling there quite challenging.
irregularity

Refers to things that do not happen in a regular pattern or schedule. It can be used for time, shapes, or procedures.

  • The irregularity of his attendance was noted by the manager.
  • The doctor was concerned about the irregularity of her heartbeat.
sporadicity

Describes occurrences that happen at irregular intervals or scattered instances.

  • The sporadicity of power outages made it hard to rely on electricity.
  • The sporadicity of her visits kept the neighbors guessing.
inconstancy

Describes a lack of steadiness or loyalty, often used in relationships or behaviors. Usually has a negative connotation.

  • Her inconstancy in her affections made it hard for him to trust her.
  • Inconstancy in work habits can lead to poor performance.

Examples of usage

  • The infrequency of the trains caused inconvenience for the commuters.
  • Her infrequency in attending meetings raised concerns about her commitment.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Statistics

  • In statistics, infrequency is important for understanding data distribution and can affect how we interpret outliers.
  • Rare events in statistical analysis can provide significant insights but may also lead to misleading conclusions if not handled properly.
  • The law of large numbers states that as samples increase, the average of the results will converge to the expected value, helping clarify infrequent events.

Psychology

  • Psychological theories suggest that infrequent experiences tend to be more memorable due to their rarity and uniqueness.
  • Cognitive biases can make infrequent events seem more significant than they are, affecting perception.
  • The peak-end rule posits that people judge experiences based on their most intense moments and their final moments, which can influence how infrequent events are remembered.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In various cultures, certain festivals and ceremonies are held infrequently, making them highly cherished events.
  • The concept of infrequency can also relate to societal norms, where behaviors outside the norm are seen as unique or special.
  • In art, infrequent exhibitions of an artist's work can create a sense of anticipation and heighten the perceived value of the artworks.

Science

  • Infrequent phenomena in nature, such as eclipses or meteor showers, often draw significant public interest due to their rarity.
  • In biology, infrequent species may be at risk of extinction due to their limited reproductive cycles and environmental changes.
  • Quantum mechanics deals with infrequent particle behaviors that can seem strange compared to everyday experiences.

Origin of 'infrequency'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from the Latin word 'infrequentem,' meaning 'rare' or 'seldom seen.'
  • In English, 'infrequency' was first used in the 14th century to describe rare occurrences.
  • It combines the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' with 'frequency,' which refers to how often something happens.

The word 'infrequency' is derived from the combination of the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' and the word 'frequency', which comes from the Latin 'frequentia' meaning 'crowd, multitude'. The concept of infrequency has been present in language to describe things that occur rarely or lack regularity, reflecting the human tendency to notice patterns and deviations from them.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,248 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.