Vocabulary in context
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Intermittent
Ceasing for short periods and starting again; not continuous.
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Imagine This
Intermissions often occur in long films, movies, operas, and theatre performances so that the audience can stretch their limbs, go to the washroom, or buy a snack.
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Sounds Like
IN-ter-MIT-uhnt
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Looks Like
Intermission
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Remember This
From Latin intermittere meaning 'to interrupt' (inter- = between, mittere = to send). The related noun 'intermission' refers to a break during a performance.
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Other Forms
intermittentlyadverb
intermissionnoun
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Connect With
sporadic, periodic, occasional, fitful, irregular
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Note
Intermittent describes a pattern of pauses that are brief and separated; for continuous, use 'continuous' or 'constant'. For irregular, use 'sporadic' or 'irregular'.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The rain was intermittent, stopping for several minutes at a time before starting again.
- She experiences intermittent headaches that come and go throughout the day.
Synonyms
sporadicperiodicoccasionalfitfulirregular
Antonyms
continuousconstantuninterrupted
Etymology
From Latin intermittere 'to interrupt, to send between,' from inter- 'between' + mittere 'to send'.
Mnemonic
MIT stands for Make It Temporary: remember that the MIT in interMITtent signals a temporary pause between actions.
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Predictable
adjectiveAble to be foreseen or expected; likely to occur or behave in a way that can be predicted, often implying a lack of surprise.
Defunct
adjectiveNo longer existing or functioning; having ceased to operate or be in use.
Reinforce
verbTo strengthen or support something by adding resources, evidence, or encouragement; to make an argument, structure, or system more robust.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Occasional
adjectiveHappening or appearing only from time to time; not regular or frequent.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
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