infrequent

adjective

in·​fre·​quent (ˌ)in-ˈfrē-kwənt How to pronounce infrequent (audio)
Synonyms of infrequentnext
1
: seldom happening or occurring : rare
2
: placed or occurring at wide intervals in space or time
a slope dotted with infrequent pines
infrequent visits
infrequently adverb

Synonyms of infrequent

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infrequent, uncommon, scarce, rare, sporadic mean not common or abundant.

infrequent implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time.

infrequent family visits

uncommon suggests a frequency below normal expectation.

smallpox is now uncommon in many countries

scarce implies falling short of a standard or required abundance.

jobs were scarce during the Depression

rare suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often implies consequent high value.

rare first editions

sporadic implies occurrence in scattered instances or isolated outbursts.

sporadic cases of influenza

Examples of infrequent in a Sentence

We made infrequent stops along the way. a shut-in who made infrequent trips to the store
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Is the use case too simple or infrequent to justify the overhead? — Mateusz Mucha, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 Aim for steady hydration instead of large, infrequent amounts. — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 7 July 2026 As shown above, this was a clear method of attack against DR Congo, but became an infrequent sight as the game wore on. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 2 July 2026 These signs include dark yellow urine, dry mouth, headaches, fatigue, dizziness and infrequent urination. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for infrequent

Word History

Etymology

Latin infrequent-, infrequens, from in- + frequent-, frequens frequent

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of infrequent was in 1622

Phrases Containing infrequent

Rhymes for infrequent

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Browse Nearby Words

infrequency
infrequent
infrigidate
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Cite this Entry

“Infrequent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infrequent. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

infrequent

adjective
in·​fre·​quent (ˈ)in-ˈfrē-kwənt How to pronounce infrequent (audio)
1
: seldom happening or occurring
2
: not placed, made, or done at frequent intervals
made infrequent stops
infrequently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on infrequent

Nglish: Translation of infrequent for Spanish Speakers

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