frequent

play

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

Definition of frequent

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

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frequentation

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

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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

While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted, criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens.

— leada gore, AL.com, "Mexico travel warning: State Department cautions tourists about violence in Cancun, Cozumel and more," 24 Aug. 2017
A small children's section was nestled in a corner by the windows and was later frequented by many students from nearby Union School, Alderman said.

— jordan otero sisson, courant.com, "Unionville Marks 100th Anniversary of Carnegie Library," 16 Aug. 2017
Until this week, the Daily Stormer was an obscure site frequented by a small number of hardcore racists.

— timothy b. lee, Ars Technica, "Racist Daily Stormer moves to Russian domain after losing .com address [Updated]," 16 Aug. 2017
On Feb. 10, 2011, in Miami, police detective Reynaldo Goyos was working with a dozen undercover officers taking part in a sting at a local strip club known to be frequented by gang members.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Hundreds of officers fired for misconduct returned to policing," 3 Aug. 2017
Business dropped as many longtime customers died, but a steady stream of mostly male patrons continued to frequent the hall each afternoon.

— joe marusak, charlotteobserver, "Saying so long to ‘Harry’s’: Growth sinks last cue ball at pool hall in Plaza Midwood," 27 July 2017
The only valid excuse for not frequenting a Waffle House is geography.

— lang whitaker, GQ, "Waffle House Is America," 19 July 2017
The hotel in Rochester, Minnesota where Smith was staying is known to be frequented by Mayo Clinic patients, but a spokeswoman did not confirm to the Tribune if Smith had been a patient there.

— maya kosoff, The Hive, "Republican Who Sought Clinton’s E-mails from Russian Hackers Committed Suicide," 14 July 2017
But a family man convicted of frequenting prostitutes, or a labour activist paraded on television admitting embezzlement, is likely to lose his reputation for good.

— The Economist, "Painted blackCritics of oppressive governments often end up defamed," 13 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

frequent Synonyms

Synonyms

affect, habituate, hang (at), haunt, resort (to), visit

Antonyms

avoid, shun

Related Words

patronize; attend, take in; infest, invade, overrun, swarm; call (on or upon), drop by, drop in, pop (in), run (in), stop (in or by); camp (out in), sojourn (at), stay (at), stop (over), tarry (in)

Near Antonyms

dodge, duck, elude, escape, eschew, evade, shake

frequent

play

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

Longtime perusers of This Space might note that these two Mobsters are frequent sparring partners in the comments section (which for years was fantastic, until Mother Gannett ruined it by adding a paywall and requiring a Facebook login.)

— paul daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "The Morning Line, 8/30," 30 Aug. 2017
Although most of the center’s visitors on Tuesday regularly frequent the facility, most were glad to be out of the heat.

— andy nguyen, Glendale News-Press, "Cooling centers provide respite from heat wave in Glendale," 29 Aug. 2017
Every Friday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. DJs set up to an evening pool party called Float, and there are frequent weekend pool parties open to the public as well (follow the hotel’s calendar for announcements).

— brittany martin, Los Angeles Magazine, "Five Gorgeous Hotel Pools Where You Can Cool off without Booking a Room," 28 Aug. 2017
Betty Killion, a grandmother and frequent churchgoer, believes East Winders lead immoral lives.

— max londberg, kansascity, "Dark rituals? Orgies? See the reality of a hippie commune deep in Missouri’s Bible Belt," 27 Aug. 2017
And although the brand's current range of cheekily packaged products are Instagram candy, the frequent reveals keep us wanting even more.

— rachel jacoby zoldan, Teen Vogue, "Too Faced Just Teased a Glitter Peel-Off Face Mask," 22 Aug. 2017
Q: Will frequent Botox eventually make my forehead sag?

— lauren balsamo, Cosmopolitan, "Your Guide to Perfect Skin, Straight From the Experts," 22 Aug. 2017
Noël Coward and the Duke of Windsor were frequent visitors there, lounging by the pool.

— ben ryder howe, Town & Country, "This Château on the French Riviera Was Once a Playground for the Rich, Famous, and Royal," 9 Aug. 2017
Sullivan said while the budgetary talks are frequent at school board meetings, District 204 residents might not know the dire straits the district is facing.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Consultant hire could be harbinger of Indian Prairie 204 referendum," 22 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

frequent Synonyms

Synonyms

constant, regular, habitual, periodic, periodical, repeated, steady

Antonyms

inconstant, infrequent, irregular

Related Words

continual, intermittent, recurrent, recurring; cyclic (or cyclical); around-the-clock, hourly, round-the-clock, 24-7 (or 24/7); chronic, confirmed, inveterate; expected, usual

Near Antonyms

episodic (also episodical), occasional; unexpected, unusual

FREQUENT Defined for English Language Learners

frequent

play

verb

Definition of frequent for English Language Learners

: to visit or go to (a place) often

frequent

play

adjective

Definition of frequent for English Language Learners

: happening often
: acting or returning regularly or often

FREQUENT Defined for Kids

frequent

play

verb fre·quent \ frē-ˈkwent \

Definition of frequent for Students

frequented; frequenting

:to visit often

We frequent the beach during summer.

frequent

play

adjective fre·quent \ ˈfrē-kwənt \

Definition of frequent for Students

:happening often

I made frequent trips to town.

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frequently

adverb

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frequent

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frequentness

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frequent

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frequent

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