frequent

verb fre·quent \ frē-ˈkwent , ˈfrē-kwənt \

|Updated on: 19 Aug 2018

Examples: frequent in a Sentence

Definition of frequent

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

play \ˌfrē-ˌkwen-ˈtā-shən, -kwən-\ noun

—

frequenter

noun

See frequent defined for English-language learners

Examples of frequent in a Sentence

He began frequenting cheap bars.
a neighborhood frequented by tourists
a restaurant frequented by local politicians

Recent Examples of frequent from the Web

The paper found an audience among the same working-class men who frequented the bar, which got Flynt to thinking.

— Cincinnati Enquirer, "Read more from this Project," 13 July 2018
Now, everyone who frequents the food drop knows Brice.

— nyssa kruse, courant.com, "CRT Volunteer George Brice Helps The Hungry, 'Rain Or Shine'," 12 July 2018
Nicholson plays a writer who moves his family into an isolated hotel, only to unravel mentally over the course of the film as he's overtaken by the dark forces who frequent the establishment.

— kayleigh roberts, Marie Claire, "13 Classic Halloween Movies to Screen for a Proper Fright Fest," 5 July 2018
After further investigation and reviewing surveillance footage, officers identified Quintiliani as someone who lives in the neighborhood and frequents the store.

— elise takahama, BostonGlobe.com, "Police nab masked man who allegedly robbed Hyde Park gas station with knife," 26 June 2018
The shooting occurred inside the popular campground in an area frequented by hikers and day trekkers, officials said.

— richard winton, latimes.com, "Man fatally shot at Malibu Creek State Park campground identified," 24 June 2018
The clientele were various: Lucinda Williams; professors from the nearby university; and the men who frequented a pool hall not far away, which only began to admit women in the ’70s and where meth, in the bathrooms, was a problem.

— kathleen alcott, Bon Appetit, "The Best Waitressing Gig I Ever Had Was Serving Burgers in Fayetteville, Arkansas," 6 June 2018
The seekers and free-range thinkers who frequented the store, in Willits, California, quickly snapped up the three sample panels.

— NBC News, "'Ecotopia' teaches low-carbon living to Californians who aren't waiting for Trump to save the climate," 2 June 2018
The dolphins have built up a reputation among those who frequent the bay and its rivers.

— scott dance, baltimoresun.com, "Dolphins appearing by the hundreds in Chesapeake Bay: 'All of a sudden there were like 50 of them around us'," 14 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'frequent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of frequent

see ²frequent

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

frequent Synonyms

frequent

adjective fre·quent \ ˈfrē-kwənt \

Definition of frequent

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

See frequent defined for English-language learners

See frequent defined for kids

Examples of frequent in a Sentence

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 of frequent from the Web

And then there are the modern-day toasts themselves, passed from generation to generation, that make frequent allusions to sunlight and fire—key symbols of Zoroastrianism, the pagan belief system held by most pre-Christian Armenians.

— benjamin kemper, Smithsonian, "Raising a Glass to Armenia’s Elaborate Toasting Tradition," 13 July 2018
If this imbalance were limited to a single chamber of the legislature, or a single election cycle, the Democrats’ frequent carping about a stacked electoral deck might sound like sour grapes.

— The Economist, "America’s electoral system gives the Republicans advantages over Democrats," 12 July 2018
With this frequent exchanging of gifts comes a whole host of etiquette dilemmas that only a Southerner can solve.

— Southern Living, "The Etiquette of Giving: Your Gift Questions Answered," 12 July 2018
Black, who lives in San Francisco, is a frequent traveler to France.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Write Stuff: Charles Monagan Kicks Off CT Authors Trail, Avon's Author Fest Continues," 11 July 2018
Abramson, a frequent traveler who runs a Los Angeles communications agency, waited a while for the line to shorten and then asked to speak with a supervisor.

— christopher elliott, USA TODAY, "Travel nightmares: What to do when they run out of rental cars," 8 July 2018
Gaul, a frequent traveler, had never heard such instructions before while waiting in an airport security line.

— martine powers, Anchorage Daily News, "TSA screeners nibbling away at travelers' patience. This time over snacks.," 2 July 2018
Gaul, a frequent traveler, had never heard such instructions before while waiting in an airport security line.

— martine powers, Washington Post, "It started with your shoes, then your water. Now the TSA wants your snacks.," 29 June 2018
Here, frequent travelers share their favorite rolling suitcases that cost $250 or less.

— lindsey lanquist, SELF, "The 12 Best Rolling Suitcases You Can Get for $250 or Less, According to Frequent Travelers," 7 June 2018

Origin and Etymology of frequent

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1531

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

frequent Synonyms

Synonyms

common, commonplace, everyday, familiar, garden-variety, household, ordinary, quotidian, routine, ubiquitous, usual;

Antonyms

extraordinary, infrequent, rare, seldom, uncommon, unfamiliar, unusual;

Near Antonyms

aberrant, abnormal, irregular, unnatural;

intermittent, occasional, sporadic;

Related Words

normal, regular, standard;

de rigueur, mandatory, obligatory;

general, universal;

ceaseless, constant, continual, continuous, incessant, unceasing;

perennial, recurrent, repeated;

Phrases

a dime a dozen;

FREQUENT Defined for English Language Learners

frequent

verb

Definition of frequent for English Language Learners

: to visit or go to (a place) often

frequent

adjective

Definition of frequent for English Language Learners

: happening often
: acting or returning regularly or often

FREQUENT Defined for Kids

frequent

verb fre·quent \ frē-ˈkwent \

Definition of frequent for Students

frequented; frequenting

: to visit often

We frequent the beach during summer.

frequent

adjective fre·quent \ ˈfrē-kwənt \

Definition of frequent for Students

: happening often

I made frequent trips to town.

—

frequently

adverb

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frequent

Definition of frequent

frequentation

frequenter

Examples of frequent in a Sentence

Recent Examples of frequent from the Web

Origin and Etymology of frequent

frequent Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

frequent

Definition of frequent

frequentness

Examples of frequent in a Sentence

Recent Examples of frequent from the Web

Origin and Etymology of frequent

frequent Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

FREQUENT Defined for English Language Learners

frequent

Definition of frequent for English Language Learners

frequent

Definition of frequent for English Language Learners

FREQUENT Defined for Kids

frequent

Definition of frequent for Students

frequent

Definition of frequent for Students

frequently

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