intermittent

adjective

in·​ter·​mit·​tent ˌin-tər-ˈmi-tᵊnt 

1

: coming and going at intervals : not continuous

intermittent rain

also : occasional

intermittent trips abroad

2

of a stream or body of water : appearing and disappearing seasonally : sometimes dry

intermittently adverb

raining intermittently

Synonyms of intermittent

• recurrent
• recurring
• periodic

Examples of intermittent in a Sentence

In the intermittent light he could make out the shape of a solitary oak tree, spreading great arms from its short tremendous trunk. —Susan Cooper, The Dark is Rising, (1973) 1999

Decades of intermittent but recurring controversies with imperial authorities, and the lodestar of the glorious Revolution, disposed Americans to continue to believe that representation existed, first and foremost, to protect the rights of their communities against the abuse of executive power. —Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings, 1996

Bronchodilators continue to play an important role in asthma treatment, especially for people who have relatively mild or intermittent attacks. —Stephen Hoffmann, Harvard Medical School Health Letter, June 1991

The patient was having intermittent pains in his side.

The forecast is for intermittent rain.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ohtani has been playing with a bad knee and biceps for three months, and the Dodgers already have tried intermittent rest. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

The amount of daylight, cool temperatures, and intermittent rain in autumn mimic what happens in spring when the peepers actively court and mate. — Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026

There will also be partial or intermittent closures of Wyandotte Street and Baltimore Avenue through spring 2029. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026

Guests equipped with wifi, a fire pit, showers, fleece robes, and tea are left in total seclusion to alternate between hot soaks and cannonballing into the ocean, with intermittent paddleboarding. — Adrienne Matei, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin intermittent-, intermittens, present participle of intermittere — see intermit

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing intermittent

• intermittent claudication

Rhymes for intermittent

• remittent

Kids Definition

intermittent

adjective

in·​ter·​mit·​tent ˌint-ər-ˈmit-ᵊnt 

: starting, stopping, and starting again

an intermittent fever

intermittently adverb

Medical Definition

intermittent

adjective

in·​ter·​mit·​tent ˌint-ər-ˈmit-ᵊnt 

: coming and going at intervals : not continuous

intermittent fever

intermittence

-ᵊn(t)s 

noun