occasional
/əˈkeɪʒ(ə)n(ə)l
/adjective
1Occurring, appearing, or done infrequently and irregularly: the occasional car went by but no taxis...
- The writing is elegant with only occasional lapses into obscurity.
- She had never really seen the inside of his room before; only occasional chance glances.
- Loud snores started to come out of him as occasional hiccups followed.
Synonyms
infrequent, intermittent, irregular, periodic, sporadic, odd, random, casual, desultory, incidental, uncommon, episodic, few and far between, fitful, spasmodic, isolated, rare;
North American sometime
dated seldom
1.1(Of furniture) made or adapted for use on a particular occasion or for infrequent use: an occasional table...
- He made occasional furniture pieces such as tables and chairs, as well as picture frames.
- Described as a desk, dining or occasional chair, it is designed with sufficient strength to support even a very large person.
- Other items include pieces of occasional furniture that were covered by Monica.
1.2(Of a literary composition, speech, religious service, etc.) produced on or intended for a special occasion: he wrote occasional verse for patrons...
- Even as late as last month she was still giving the occasional speech and attending functions.
- He was the only human they trusted enough to honor with their presence and occasional speeches.
- He made his living in academia and from occasional exploits into literary journalism.
1.3 dated Employed for a particular occasion or on an irregular basis: occasional freelancer seeks full-time position...
- He employs two steady workers, two occasional employees and has two business partners.
- Use of the equipment was initially limited to the company's own employees and the occasional journalist.
Derivatives
occasionality
- Today it's been relegated to the status of ‘pastime’ or ‘occasionality’.
- The who, what, when, where and how of screen culture - its occasionality - must become central to our work.