What does intermittent mean?
Intermittent means that something happens repeatedly but not continuously. It emphasizes breaks or pauses between occurrences, whether the pattern is regular, as with an intermittent signal, or unpredictable, as with intermittent rain. The word is widely used in descriptions of weather, pain, employment, machinery, electrical systems, and online connectivity. It often suggests that an activity or condition returns after a lapse, so it contrasts with terms such as continuous, constant, and uninterrupted. Because intermittent can refer either to events separated by intervals or to a system that repeatedly switches on and off, it is useful whenever a speaker wants to describe something persistent in overall tendency but lacking continuity. The adjective is standard in both British and American English and remains neutral in tone.
adjectiveOccurring at intervals rather than continuously; recurring periodically with breaks between occurrences.
- Recurring at regular or irregular intervals, with breaks between occurrences.
- Existing or operating only for short periods, rather than continuously.
"The path offered intermittent glimpses of the river through the trees."
"The storm caused intermittent flooding throughout the afternoon."
"The lecture was interrupted by intermittent bursts of static from the microphone."
Intermittent describes what keeps appearing, disappearing, and returning rather than following an unbroken course.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does intermittent come from?
Intermittent comes from Latin intermittens, the present participle of intermittere, meaning “to leave gaps between” or “to interrupt.” The Latin verb was formed with inter-, meaning “between,” and mittere, meaning “to send,” reflecting the idea of something being sent or allowed through at intervals. English borrowed the adjective in the 17th century. The same Latin root underlies cognates including omit, commit, and admit.
Related word forms
How intermittent is actually used
The word is neutral in register and can describe predictable cycles, irregular events, or systems that repeatedly become unavailable. It is especially common in technical, medical, and workplace contexts.