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intermittentlyoccurring at irregular intervals; not continuously or steadily

Part of speech: ADVERB

Definition: occurring at irregular intervals; not continuously or steadily

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌɪntərˈmɪtəntli/

Example Sentences

  • My neighbor's karaoke machine works intermittently, which is both a blessing and a curse.
  • The WiFi signal appears intermittently, making online classes a real adventure.
  • Traffic lights in this area function intermittently due to power issues.

intermittently

ADVERB

[/ˌɪntərˈmɪtəntli/]

occurring at irregular intervals; not continuously or steadily

The lighthouse beam flashes intermittently across the dark stormy coast.
💡 Concept

The lighthouse beam flashes intermittently across the dark stormy coast.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˌɪntərˈmɪtəntli/
🇬🇧 UK/ˌɪntəˈmɪtəntli/

🌳Etymology

Prefixinter--
Rootmitt
Suffix--ently

Origin

From Latin 'intermittens' (interrupting, breaking off), derived from 'intermittere' meaning 'to interrupt' or 'to leave off,' combined with the adverbial suffix '-ly' indicating manner or frequency.

Breakdown

inter- (between, among) + mitt (send, put) + -ent (adjective suffix) + -ly (adverb suffix) = intermittently

🎵Rhyme

consistentlypersistentlyinsistently
consistently
persistently
insistently

🔗Collocations

work intermittently
rain intermittently
appear intermittently
occur intermittently
function intermittently

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My neighbor's karaoke machine works intermittently, which is both a blessing and a curse.

😄 Fun example

The WiFi signal appears intermittently, making online classes a real adventure.

Traffic lights in this area function intermittently due to power issues.

The patient's symptoms occurred intermittently over several weeks.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

sporadicallyoccasionallyperiodicallyirregularlyspasmodically

Antonyms

continuouslyconstantlysteadily

Related

intermittentinterruptintervalperiodic

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