frequent

1 of 2

verb

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 noun
frequenter noun

frequent

2 of 2

adjective

fre·​quent ˈfrē-kwənt How to pronounce frequent (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Swim at Wied il-Għasri and Ramla Beach Mgarr ix-Xini is a beautiful inlet flanked by cliffs and frequented by locals. AFAR Media, 28 Aug. 2025 Gray, 19 at the time, and Knockum, 33, knew each other from frequenting a bar called Club Hollywood in the Hoffman Triangle neighborhood of New Orleans. Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
These waves will travel toward the shoreline, producing pounding surf, frequent and strong rip currents and considerable beach erosion from Florida to Maine. Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025 This most commonly results in a bladder infection, with symptoms ranging from pain or burning while urinating; frequent urination; feeling the need to urinate despite having an empty bladder; bloody urine and pressure; or cramping in the groin or lower abdomen. Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for frequent

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of frequent was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frequent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frequent. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

frequent

1 of 2 adjective
fre·​quent ˈfrē-kwənt How to pronounce frequent (audio)
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 How to pronounce frequent (audio)
ˈfrē-kwənt
: to visit, associate with, or go to often
frequents the library
frequenter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on frequent

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