Word
sporadically
Phoneticsspo·rad·i·cal·ly
US/spɝˈædɪkɫi/
UK/spɔːɹˈædɪkli/
Definition
adv. happening at irregular times or in a way that is not continuous. You use this when something occurs now and then but not often.
adv. occurring at irregular intervals or in an intermittent manner. Often describes events that are not part of a regular pattern.
Examples
“The rain fell sporadically throughout the afternoon.”
“The company reported sporadically high sales during the holiday season, though the overall trend remained flat.”
“While the conflict has been sporadically active for decades, the recent ceasefire has brought a much-needed period of stability to the region.”
Examples
simple
“The rain fell sporadically throughout the afternoon.”
contextual
“The company reported sporadically high sales during the holiday season, though the overall trend remained flat.”
complex
“While the conflict has been sporadically active for decades, the recent ceasefire has brought a much-needed period of stability to the region.”
Real-World Examples
“Maus was initially serialised as an insert in Raw – new issues came out sporadically, whenever Spiegelman had finished a chapter.” “It’s sporadically very funny, but the tone of this blackly comic murder-mystery is all over the place.” Etymology
From sporadic + -ally.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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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englishreference.com/q/sporadically