sporadic
adjective
Did you know?
Sporadic Has Medieval Latin Roots
You never know where or when the occasion to use sporadic will pop up, but when it does, sporadic is the perfect choice to describe something that happens randomly or irregularly, often in scattered instances or isolated outbursts. The word comes from Medieval Latin sporadicus, which is itself derived from Greek sporadēn, meaning “here and there.” It is also related to the Greek verb speirein (“to sow”), the ancestor from which we get our word spore (the reproductive cell of a fungus, microorganism, or some plants), hinting at the seemingly scattered nature by which such cells spread and germinate.
Examples of sporadic in a Sentence
Mark Krikorian, National Review, 26 Jan. 2004
I left Madras twenty years ago. Two marriages and three children later I am a different man from the one who left. My return visits have been sporadic. But there is great delight in a homecoming.
—Abraham Verghese, Atlantic, February 2001
The Bronx begins here physically, and it began here historically as well; this was the site of Jonas Bronck's farmhouse. Not much is known about him: he was a Swedish sea captain who was induced to settle the area by the Dutch West India Company. A peace treaty signed at Bronck's house ended years of sporadic but bloody skirmishes between the Dutch and the Weckquasgeeks.
—Marcus Laffey, New Yorker, 15 May 2000
Sporadic cases of the disease were reported.
sporadic loud noises kept startling everyone
Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Trump deploys 'Bibisitters' The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal has largely held, though sporadic fighting since the deal was signed has erupted and left two Israeli soldiers and more than 40 Palestinians dead.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
But there have been sporadic instances when Republicans have pushed back, generally behind the scenes, showing there are limits to their support.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
While Waller's usage on the season has been sporadic in his four games in Miami, the former Pro Bowler has emerged as an incredibly useful red zone threat for the Dolphins, recording four touchdowns in his four games played on the year.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sporadic
Cite this Entry
“Sporadic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sporadic. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
sporadic
adjective
Share