adj.
Pronunciation: ( ˌ )in- ' fr ē -kw ə nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin infrequent-, infrequens, from in- + frequent-, frequens frequent
Date: circa 1615
1 : seldom happening or occurring : RARE
2 : placed or occurring at wide intervals in space or time <a slope scattered with infrequent pines> < infrequent visits>
– in · fre · quent · ly adverb
synonyms INFREQUENT , UNCOMMON , SCARCE , RARE , SPORADIC mean not common or abundant. INFREQUENT implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time < infrequent family visits>. UNCOMMON suggests a frequency below normal expectation <smallpox is now uncommon in many countries>. SCARCE implies falling short of a standard or required abundance <jobs were scarce during the Depression>. RARE suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often implies consequent high value < rare first editions>. SPORADIC implies occurrence in scattered instances or isolated outbursts < sporadic cases of influenza>.