Word
infrequently
Phoneticsin·fre·quent·ly, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈfɹikwəntɫi/
UK/ɪnfɹˈiːkwəntli/
Definition
adv. happening only a few times. You use this to describe something that does not occur often.
adv. occurring only a few times; not often. Typically used to describe the frequency of an action or event.
Examples
“The bus runs infrequently on this route.”
“The two old friends met infrequently, but every time they did, they spent the entire day together.”
“While the species was once common across the valley, it now appears infrequently, likely due to the rapid urbanisation of the surrounding areas.”
Examples
simple
“The bus runs infrequently on this route.”
contextual
“The two old friends met infrequently, but every time they did, they spent the entire day together.”
complex
“While the species was once common across the valley, it now appears infrequently, likely due to the rapid urbanisation of the surrounding areas.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “infrequently” in context.
Verb
01. infrequently occur
“Side effects from this medication are known to infrequently occur in patients.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“Existing weather and Earth-observing satellites can detect large fires, but they often lack the resolution or revisit the same location too infrequently to spot small fires shortly after they ignite.” “Total eclipses offer a natural laboratory for viewing the corona, but because they don’t last long and happen relatively infrequently, some scientists have started making artificial eclipses with a double-satellite formation.” Etymology
From infrequent + -ly or in- + frequently.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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