Infrequent Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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infrequent
[ษชnหfriหkwษnt ]
Definitions
rarely occurring
Not happening often; rare; uncommon.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| infrequent |
Used to describe events, actions, or occurrences that do not happen often but may still follow a pattern or schedule.
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| rare |
Implies that something is very uncommon and happens only once in a while. Often used to describe something valuable or extraordinary.
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| scarce |
Describes something that is in limited supply or hard to find. Often used for resources or commodities.
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| uncommon |
Used to describe something that is unusual or not often seen but not necessarily rare. It implies a lower frequency compared to normal occurrences.
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Examples of usage
- It is quite an infrequent occurrence to see a shooting star.
- Her visits to the museum are infrequent, but always enjoyable.
not happening often
Occurring rarely or not very often.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| infrequent |
Use when describing something that does not happen often, typically in formal or written language.
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| rarely |
Use in casual or conversational settings to describe something that almost never happens.
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| seldom |
Use in a somewhat old-fashioned or literary context to mean not often.
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| sporadically |
Use when something happens at irregular intervals, not in a consistent pattern.
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Examples of usage
- She infrequently goes to the gym, preferring to exercise at home.
- The team meets infrequently, usually only when necessary.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Science
- In statistics, an 'infrequent event' refers to occurrences that have a low probability of happening.
- In ecology, some species are considered infrequent if they are rare or rarely observed in certain habitats.
Pop Culture
- Infrequent updates in technology can cause issues, as seen in app users frustrated by lagging improvements.
- The term often appears in stories where rare items or events drive the plot, reflecting scarcity as a valuable element.
Psychology
- Humans are generally more excited about infrequent events, as they can provoke strong emotional responses, such as joy or surprise.
- Infrequent rewards can be more motivating than consistent ones because they create anticipation and heightened interest.
Literature
- Writers frequently use infrequency to build suspense, making events that happen rarely significant to the story.
- Themes of rarity and the extraordinary often appear in literary works to establish emotional depth or to explore human experience.
Origin of 'infrequent'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'infrequent' comes from Latin roots, where 'in-' means 'not' and 'frequent' comes from 'frequentem', meaning 'crowded' or 'repeated'.
- It first appeared in English texts in the 15th century, describing events or occurrences that lacked regularity.
The word 'infrequent' originates from the Latin word 'infrequentem', meaning 'uncommon' or 'rare'. Over time, it has evolved to describe something that does not happen very often or is not commonly encountered. The usage of 'infrequent' has been consistent in English language literature, dating back to the 16th century.
See also: frequency, frequent, frequently, infrequently.