frequent
adj. · v.-
1 happening often (adj.) B1 Intermediatehappening many times or at short intervals.
occurring or appearing quite often or at close intervals.
ExampleThe bus makes frequent stops along the main road.
ExampleThe region is subject to frequent power outages during the monsoon season, forcing local businesses to invest in backup generators.
-
2 to visit often (v.) B2 Upper Intermediate Formalto go to a place very often.
to visit a particular place habitually or often. Transitive — requires a direct object.
ExampleHe used to frequent that small café when he lived in Paris.
ExampleDuring his university years, he would frequent the local jazz clubs, often staying until the early hours of the morning.
UsageThe stress shifts to the second syllable (fre-QUENT) when used as a verb.
Show 1 more senseShow fewer
-
3 habitual (adj.) C1 Advanced Formaldoing something as a habit or very often.
habitual or persistent in a particular behaviour or practice.
ExampleShe is a frequent traveller who knows all the best airport lounges.
ExampleAs a frequent critic of the current administration, the journalist was rarely invited to official press briefings.
From Old French frequent, from Latin frequens (“crowded, crammed, frequent, repeated, etc.”), possibly from a Proto-Indo-European *bʰrekʷ- (“to cram together”).
From Old French frequenter, from Latin frequentare (“to fill, crowd, visit often, do or use often, etc.”), from frequens (“frequent, crowded”).