frequent

1 of 2

verb

fre·​quent frē-ˈkwent  ˈfrē-kwənt 

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

ˌfrē-ˌkwen-ˈtā-shən 

-kwən-

noun

frequenter noun

frequent

2 of 2

adjective

fre·​quent ˈfrē-kwənt 

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

Synonyms

Verb

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

Adjective

• constant
• habitual
• periodic
• periodical
• regular
• repeated
• steady

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

Verb

The seven-night sailing would stop at smaller ports that are less frequented by cruise ships, such as St.-Raphaël, on the Côte d’Azur, before ending in Palma, on the Spanish island of Mallorca. —Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025

Tomlinson was a teenager who frequented U.K. theaters in search of new horror by the time the first Conjuring movie opened, which adds more meaning to her in playing Judy for this bookend installment. —EW.com, 6 May 2025

Adjective

These areas could be faced with flash flooding and frequent lightning due to stronger, slow-moving thunderstorms with torrential rain. —Daniel Peck, ABC News, 4 May 2025

Ben Oliver, another frequent contributor, leaned into his extensive experience track-testing cars beyond 200 mph and road cycling to illuminate the physical and mental sensations of speed and why humans thrill at going ever faster, danger be damned. —Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 3 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing frequent

• frequent-flier
• frequent-flyer

Rhymes for frequent

• sequent
• infrequent
• unfrequent

Kids Definition

frequent

1 of 2 adjective

fre·​quent ˈfrē-kwənt 

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 

ˈfrē-kwənt

: to visit, associate with, or go to often

frequents the library

frequenter noun