frequent

1 of 2

verb

fre·​quent frē-ˈkwent  ˈfrē-kwənt 

frequented; frequenting; frequents

transitive verb

1

: to associate with, be in, or resort to often or habitually

a bar frequented by sports fans

a restaurant frequented by local politicians

2

archaic : to read systematically or habitually

frequentation

ˌfrē-ˌkwen-ˈtā-shən 

-kwən-

noun

frequenter noun

frequent

2 of 2

adjective

fre·​quent ˈfrē-kwənt 

1

a

: common, usual

a frequent practice among these people

b

: happening at short intervals : often repeated or occurring

a bus making frequent stops

2

obsolete : full, thronged

3

: acting or returning regularly or often

a frequent visitor

a frequent customer

4

archaic : intimate, familiar

frequentness noun

Synonyms

Verb

• haunt
• visit

Adjective

• periodic
• regular
• repeated
• steady
• constant
• periodical
• continual

Examples of frequent in a Sentence

Verb

He began frequenting cheap bars.

a neighborhood frequented by tourists

a restaurant frequented by local politicians

Adjective

We made frequent trips to town.

This bus makes frequent stops.

She was a frequent visitor to the museum.

He is one of our most frequent customers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Bongo Java quickly became a local favorite, frequented by customers from all walks of life — from musicians and students to transplants and everyone in between. —Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Oct. 2025

Buffett is also known for frequenting McDonald’s for a cheap meal, choosing to order two sausage patties, an egg and cheese, or a bacon egg and cheese—all under $4. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025

Adjective

In addition to being frequent collaborators, the two also had a romantic relationship for a time and remained close friends ever since. —Kim Hubbard, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025

Let’s make the increasingly frequent business of moving on less dramatic, and a whole lot more human. —Nino Paoli, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

Middle English, ample, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, crowded, from Latin frequent-, frequens

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing frequent

• frequent-flier
• frequent-flyer

Rhymes for frequent

• sequent
• infrequent
• unfrequent

Kids Definition

frequent

1 of 2 adjective

fre·​quent ˈfrē-kwənt 

1

: happening often

made frequent trips to town

2

: regular entry 1 sense 3b, habitual

a frequent visitor to the museum

frequently adverb

frequentness noun

frequent

2 of 2 verb

fre·​quent frē-ˈkwent 

ˈfrē-kwənt

: to visit, associate with, or go to often

frequents the library

frequenter noun