1
Core quality
Occurring only occasionally or at irregular intervals.
Example
Sporadic rainfall was insufficient for the crop.
sporadic
/spəˈrædɪk/ · spuh-RAD-ikadjective
Occurring only occasionally or at irregular intervals.
Use sporadic to express this relationship precisely: occurring only occasionally or at irregular intervals.
What sporadic Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
The signal appeared at sporadic intervals.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
Sporadic protests never developed into a sustained movement.
Use sporadic Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Sporadic rainfall was insufficient for the crop.
The signal appeared at sporadic intervals.
Sporadic protests never developed into a sustained movement.
Precision Matters
Sporadic overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
sporadic
vs.Means occurring only occasionally or at irregular intervals.
erratic
Means unpredictable, irregular, or inconsistent.
sporadic
vs.Means occurring only occasionally or at irregular intervals.
pervasive
Means spreading widely throughout an area or group.
sporadic
vs.Means occurring only occasionally or at irregular intervals.
ubiquitous
Means present or encountered virtually everywhere.
sporadic
vs.Means occurring only occasionally or at irregular intervals.
consistent with
Means in agreement or harmony with; not contradicted by.
Test sporadic in Context
The bursts occur irregularly rather than continuously.
1
The sensor recorded ___ bursts of activity separated by long periods of silence.