Intermittent vs. Occasional: Know the Difference

By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 26, 2023

"Intermittent" refers to something happening at irregular intervals, not continuously or steadily. "Occasional" describes something that occurs, appears, or is done infrequently and irregularly.

Intermittent vs. Occasional

Key Differences

Intermittent refers to something occurring at irregular intervals and stopping and starting repeatedly or with periods of inactivity between occurrences. Occasional signifies something happening infrequently and at irregular intervals, but less sporadically than intermittent.

Dec 26, 2023

Intermittent often implies a more regular pattern of stopping and starting, although the intervals are not fixed. Occasional lacks a predictable pattern and occurs less frequently, typically without a regular or predictable timing.

Dec 26, 2023

Intermittent is often used to describe actions or events that start and stop over a period, such as intermittent rain. Occasional is used for events that happen from time to time but not frequently, like occasional meetings.

Dec 26, 2023

Intermittent suggests a degree of regularity in the interruptions or pauses. Occasional does not convey any regularity, instead indicating rarity or infrequency.

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Intermittent can imply an expectation of recurrence or continuation between pauses. Occasional carries an implication of randomness and lack of expectation regarding when it will happen next.

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Comparison Chart

Frequency

Irregular, with stops and starts

Infrequent and irregular

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Regularity

Implies some regularity in interruption

Lacks regularity, more random

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Usage Examples

Intermittent rain, intermittent signals

Occasional meetings, occasional use

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Expectation

Expected to recur or continue

Random, no specific expectation

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Duration

Can be brief or prolonged with pauses

Typically brief and infrequent

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Intermittent and Occasional Definitions

Intermittent

Not continuous; sporadic.

His intermittent attendance at school raised concerns.

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Occasional

Not happening regularly.

His occasional outbursts were unexpected.

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Intermittent

Alternately ceasing and beginning.

The intermittent Wi-Fi connection was frustrating.

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Occasional

Happening infrequently.

She makes occasional visits to her parents.

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Intermittent

Recurring after pauses.

The patient experienced intermittent symptoms.

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Occasional

Happening from time to time.

She enjoyed the occasional cup of coffee.

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Intermittent

Happening at irregular intervals.

The intermittent beeping of the alarm was distracting.

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Occasional

Done on particular occasions.

He wore his occasional suit for special events.

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Intermittent

Stopping and starting at intervals.

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Occasional

Not habitual.

Occasional smoking is still harmful.

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Intermittent

Alternately containing and empty of water

An intermittent lake.

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Occasional

Occurring, encountered, done, or taken from time to time; irregular or infrequent.

Oct 19, 2023

Intermittent

Stopping and starting, occurring, or presenting at intervals; coming after a particular time span.

The day was cloudy with intermittent rain.

Intermittent bugs are most difficult to reproduce.

Oct 19, 2023

Occasional

Created for a special occasion

Occasional verse.

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Intermittent

Existing only for certain seasons; that is, being dry for part of the year.

The area has many intermittent lakes and streams.

Oct 19, 2023

Occasional

Intended for use as the occasion requires

An occasional chair.

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Intermittent

An intermittent fever or disease.

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Occasional

Being a factor that makes something possible; being a cause of something.

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Intermittent

Coming and going at intervals; alternating; recurrent; periodic; as, an intermittent fever.

Oct 19, 2023

Occasional

Acting in a specified capacity from time to time

An occasional hunter.

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Intermittent

An intermittent fever or disease.

Oct 19, 2023

Occasional

Occurring or appearing irregularly from time to time, but not often.

He was mostly solitary, but enjoyed the occasional visitor.

He took an occasional glass of wine.

Oct 19, 2023

Intermittent

Stopping and starting at irregular intervals;

Intermittent rain showers

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Occasional

Created for a specific occasion.

Elgar's music was not created to be occasional music for high-school graduations.

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Intermittent

Stopping and starting at regular intervals

Oct 19, 2023

Occasional

Intended for use as the occasion requires.

What your living room needs are some occasional chairs.

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Occasional

Acting in the indicated role from time to time.

He is an occasional writer of letters to the editor.

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Occasional

A person who does something only occasionally.

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Occasional

Occuring at times, but not constant, regular, or systematic; made or happening as opportunity requires or admits; casual; incidental; as, occasional remarks, or efforts.

The . . . occasional writing of the present times.

Oct 19, 2023

Occasional

Produced by accident; as, the occasional origin of a thing.

Oct 19, 2023

Occasional

Of or pertaining to an occasion or to occasions; intended for a specific occasion; for use only when needed, and not regularly.

Oct 19, 2023

Occasional

Occurring from time to time;

Took an occasional glass of wine

Oct 19, 2023

Occasional

Occurring or appearing at usually irregular intervals;

Episodic in his affections

Occasional headaches

Oct 19, 2023

Occasional

Employed in a specified capacity from time to time;

Casual employment

A casual correspondence with a former teacher

An occasional worker

Oct 19, 2023

Repeatedly Asked Queries

What does intermittent mean?

It refers to something occurring at irregular intervals, with periods of inactivity.

Dec 26, 2023

Can intermittent be used to describe frequency?

Yes, it often describes an irregular frequency of events.

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How is occasional different from intermittent?

Occasional is less frequent and irregular, without the implied regularity of intermittent.

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Is occasional always infrequent?

Yes, it denotes infrequency and irregularity.

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Can a job be intermittent?

Yes, if the work occurs at irregular intervals.

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What is an example of occasional usage?

"He enjoys occasional golfing on weekends."

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Does intermittent imply a pattern?

It implies some degree of pattern in the stop-start nature of an event.

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Does intermittent imply continuity?

Yes, it implies pauses in an otherwise continuous activity.

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Can occasional be used for events?

Yes, especially for infrequent events.

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Is intermittent a medical term?

It can be, as in intermittent symptoms.

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Is occasional synonymous with rare?

Not exactly, occasional is less frequent than rare but more frequent than never.

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How do you use intermittent in a sentence?

"The intermittent signal made communication difficult."

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Can a habit be occasional?

Yes, if it is done infrequently.

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Can occasional refer to a habit?

Yes, for habits that are not regular.

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Can weather be described as intermittent?

Yes, like intermittent rain or snow.

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What is the opposite of intermittent?

Continuous or steady.

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Is intermittent more regular than occasional?

Yes, it often has a sense of more regular interruptions.

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Is it correct to say occasional meeting?

Yes, for meetings that happen infrequently.

Dec 26, 2023

What's a good synonym for occasional?

Infrequent or sporadic.

Dec 26, 2023

Can both words describe frequency?

Yes, but in different contexts of regularity and frequency.

Dec 26, 2023

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About Author

Written by

Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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