infrequent

infrequent, uncommon, scarce, rare, sporadic mean not common or abundant. infrequent implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time.

• • infrequent family visits

uncommon suggests a frequency below normal expectation.

• • smallpox is now uncommon in many countries

scarce implies falling short of a standard or required abundance.

• • jobs were scarce during the Depression

rare suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often implies consequent high value.

• • rare first editions

sporadic implies occurrence in scattered instances or isolated outbursts.

• • sporadic cases of influenza