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.
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
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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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Dec 26, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Regularity
Implies some regularity in interruption
Lacks regularity, more random
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Dec 26, 2023
Usage Examples
Intermittent rain, intermittent signals
Occasional meetings, occasional use
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Dec 26, 2023
Duration
Can be brief or prolonged with pauses
Typically brief and infrequent
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Dec 26, 2023
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Intermittent and Occasional Definitions
Intermittent
Not continuous; sporadic.
His intermittent attendance at school raised concerns.
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Dec 26, 2023
Occasional
Not happening regularly.
His occasional outbursts were unexpected.
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Dec 26, 2023
Intermittent
Alternately ceasing and beginning.
The intermittent Wi-Fi connection was frustrating.
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Dec 26, 2023
Occasional
Happening infrequently.
She makes occasional visits to her parents.
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Dec 26, 2023
Intermittent
Recurring after pauses.
The patient experienced intermittent symptoms.
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Dec 26, 2023
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Occasional
Happening from time to time.
She enjoyed the occasional cup of coffee.
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Dec 26, 2023
Intermittent
Happening at irregular intervals.
The intermittent beeping of the alarm was distracting.
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Dec 26, 2023
Occasional
Done on particular occasions.
He wore his occasional suit for special events.
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Dec 26, 2023
Intermittent
Alternately containing and empty of water
An intermittent lake.
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Oct 19, 2023
Occasional
Occurring, encountered, done, or taken from time to time; irregular or infrequent.
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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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Intermittent
Existing only for certain seasons; that is, being dry for part of the year.
The area has many intermittent lakes and streams.
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Oct 19, 2023
Occasional
Being a factor that makes something possible; being a cause of something.
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Oct 19, 2023
Intermittent
Coming and going at intervals; alternating; recurrent; periodic; as, an intermittent fever.
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Oct 19, 2023
Occasional
Acting in a specified capacity from time to time
An occasional hunter.
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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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Intermittent
Stopping and starting at irregular intervals;
Intermittent rain showers
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Oct 19, 2023
Occasional
Created for a specific occasion.
Elgar's music was not created to be occasional music for high-school graduations.
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Oct 19, 2023
Occasional
Intended for use as the occasion requires.
What your living room needs are some occasional chairs.
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Oct 19, 2023
Occasional
Acting in the indicated role from time to time.
He is an occasional writer of letters to the editor.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Occasional
Occurring or appearing at usually irregular intervals;
Episodic in his affections
Occasional headaches
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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
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does intermittent mean?
It refers to something occurring at irregular intervals, with periods of inactivity.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Can intermittent be used to describe frequency?
Yes, it often describes an irregular frequency of events.
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Dec 26, 2023
How is occasional different from intermittent?
Occasional is less frequent and irregular, without the implied regularity of intermittent.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Is occasional always infrequent?
Yes, it denotes infrequency and irregularity.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
What is an example of occasional usage?
"He enjoys occasional golfing on weekends."
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Dec 26, 2023
Does intermittent imply a pattern?
It implies some degree of pattern in the stop-start nature of an event.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Does intermittent imply continuity?
Yes, it implies pauses in an otherwise continuous activity.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Is occasional synonymous with rare?
Not exactly, occasional is less frequent than rare but more frequent than never.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
How do you use intermittent in a sentence?
"The intermittent signal made communication difficult."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Can weather be described as intermittent?
Yes, like intermittent rain or snow.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Is intermittent more regular than occasional?
Yes, it often has a sense of more regular interruptions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Is it correct to say occasional meeting?
Yes, for meetings that happen infrequently.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Can both words describe frequency?
Yes, but in different contexts of regularity and frequency.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila 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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