Sporadic
Definitions and Meaning in English
- Occurring irregularly or infrequently, not consistent or steady.
- Happening or appearing at random intervals, without a clear pattern.
- In biology, referring to something that occurs in scattered or isolated instances.
- In a broader sense, something that is isolated or sporadically distributed across a larger area.
History and Origin
The word “sporadic” comes from the Greek word sporadikos, meaning “scattered” or “dispersed,” derived from spora, meaning “seed” or “sowing.” It was used to describe occurrences that were scattered or happening irregularly. Over time, it came to describe any event or phenomenon that does not follow a consistent or predictable pattern.
Detailed Explanation
“Sporadic” refers to events or occurrences that happen at irregular intervals and are not part of a continuous or predictable pattern. It can be used to describe anything that occurs in isolated instances, whether it’s an event, action, or situation. In various contexts, it can denote something that is infrequent or uncommon. For example, sporadic rainstorms may occur in certain areas, but they are not consistent in time or location. In health, sporadic diseases might occur in isolated outbreaks rather than as part of an epidemic.
Example Sentences
- The region experienced sporadic rainfall throughout the summer.
- There have been sporadic power outages due to the storm.
- The company has made sporadic attempts to improve its customer service.
- His work schedule is sporadic, depending on client needs.
- Sporadic outbreaks of the virus have been reported in remote areas.
- The concert’s attendance was sporadic, with fans arriving at different times.
- The team has shown sporadic success in the tournament.
- The data collected was sporadic and difficult to analyze due to its inconsistency.
- They encountered sporadic delays during their road trip.
Synonyms with Short Explanation
- Irregular – Occurring at uneven intervals, lacking consistency.
- Occasional – Happening or appearing from time to time, not regularly.
- Intermittent – Stopping and starting at irregular intervals, often used to describe sporadic occurrences.
- Scattered – Spread over a wide area or occurring in isolated spots.
- Infrequent – Occurring rarely or not often, much like something sporadic.
Related Words with Short Explanation
- Erratic – Lacking regularity, behavior or occurrences that are unpredictable or inconsistent.
- Unpredictable – Impossible to foresee or anticipate, similar to sporadic events.
- Dispersed – Spread out or scattered, often used to describe sporadic instances.
- Fragmented – Broken into pieces or parts, often occurring sporadically.
- Random – Lacking a specific pattern or plan, similar to the idea of sporadic events.
More Matches with Short Explanation
- Haphazard – Lacking organization or planning, often resulting in sporadic actions or outcomes.
- Unsteady – Not stable or consistent, much like something that is sporadic.
- Patchy – Occurring in patches or irregularly, similar to sporadic occurrences.
- Unreliable – Lacking consistency or dependability, often describing something sporadic.
- Fitful – Occurring intermittently, often with sudden starts and stops.
Antonyms
- Consistent
- Regular
- Steady
- Constant
- Predictable