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Occasional vs Frequent - What's the difference?

occasional | frequent |

As adjectives the difference between occasional and frequent

is that occasional is occurring or appearing irregularly from time to time while frequent is done or occurring often; common.

As a verb frequent is

to visit often.

occasional

English

Adjective

(-)
  • Occurring or appearing irregularly from time to time.
  • Not very often.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
    • , chapter=7 citation , passage=The highway to the East Coast which ran through the borough of Ebbfield had always been a main road and even now, despite the vast garages, the pylons and the gaily painted factory glasshouses which had sprung up beside it, there still remained an occasional trace of past cultures.}}
  • *
  • Created for a specific occasion.
  • Intended for use as the occasion requires.
  • Acting in the indicated role from time to time.

    • Derived terms

    {{der3, occasionally , occasional table}}

    frequent

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) frequent, from (etyl) .Schwartzman, The Words of Mathematics: An Etymological Dictionary of Mathematical Terms Used in English

    Adjective

  • Done or occurring often; common.
    • I take frequent breaks so I don't get too tired.
    There are frequent trains to the beach available.
    I am a frequent visitor to that city.
  • Occurring at short intervals.
  • * Byron
    • frequent feudal towers
  • Addicted to any course of conduct; inclined to indulge in any practice; habitual; persistent.
  • * Jonathan Swift
    • He has been loud and frequent in declaring himself hearty for the government.
  • (obsolete) Full; crowded; thronged.
  • * Ben Jonson
    • 'Tis Caesar's will to have a frequent senate.
  • (obsolete) Often or commonly reported.
  • * Massinger
    • 'Tis frequent in the city he hath subdued / The Catti and the Daci.
    Related terms
    * frequency * frequently * infrequent * frequently asked question (FAQ)

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) frequenter, from (etyl)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To visit often.
    • I used to frequent that restaurant.
    Derived terms
    * frequenter

    External links

    * * English heteronyms ----