Main Entry: in·fre·quent

Pronunciation: \(ˌ)in-ˈfrē-kwənt\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin infrequent-, infrequens, from in- + frequent-, frequens frequent

Date: circa 1615

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

synonyms 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>.