Infrequently Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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infrequently

[ษชnหˆfriหkwษ™ntli ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adverb

rarely

Not occurring often; seldom.

Synonyms

rarely, seldom, sparingly.

Examples of usage

  • She infrequently goes to the gym.
  • He infrequently checks his emails.
Context #2 | Adverb

not regularly

Occurring at long intervals.

Synonyms

irregularly, occasionally, sporadically.

Examples of usage

  • The bus arrives infrequently during weekends.
  • They meet infrequently for lunch.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • People may perceive infrequent events as more impactful or significant because they are less common.
  • In psychology, the 'availability heuristic' shows that infrequent but dramatic events can overshadow daily experiences in our memory.
  • Infrequent rewards in learning settings can lead to greater motivation, as surprises trigger interest.

Cultural Insights

  • Infrequent traditions, like rare festivals, often hold significant cultural value, creating memorable community experiences.
  • Infrequent communication in relationships can lead to stronger bonds, as each encounter might be more cherished.
  • Certain languages have specific terms for infrequent events, showing cultural differences in how often activities are acknowledged.

Popularity Trends

  • Social media usage can fluctuate based on patterns, with some trends being infrequent, such as certain hashtags that rise and fall.
  • Infrequent product releases, like limited-edition sneakers, can create hype and increased desirability.
  • Infrequent appearances of celebrities can lead to a spike in public interest and media coverage.

Science

  • In ecology, infrequent events like rare species sightings can indicate changes in the ecosystem's health.
  • Astrophysics considers infrequent cosmic events, like supernovae, which help scientists understand the life cycle of stars.
  • Infrequent data collection in research can impact the results and lead to misleading conclusions.

Origin of 'infrequently'

Main points about word origin

  • The prefix 'in-' means 'not,' combined with 'frequent,' which comes from Latin meaning 'to visit often.'
  • Originally, 'infrequent' appeared in English around the late 14th century, forming from the same roots as 'frequent.'
  • Related words include 'frequency' which measures how often something occurs.

The word 'infrequently' is derived from the combination of the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' and the word 'frequent'. It first appeared in the mid-17th century and has been used to describe occurrences that are not common or regular.


See also: frequency, frequent, frequently, infrequent.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,696, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.