Frequency & Occurrence Vocabulary

occurring every day; ordinary or everyday

“She found beauty in the quotidian routines of daily life.”

Origin: Latin quotidianus `daily` (from quot `how many` + dies `day`)

of or during the day; daily

“Humans have a diurnal sleep cycle, unlike nocturnal owls.”

Origin: Latin diurnus `of the day` (from dies `day`)

occurring at irregular intervals; scattered

“Sporadic gunfire echoed through the night.”

Origin: Greek sporadikos `scattered` (from sporas `scattered, dispersed`)

occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous

“The intermittent rain made planning the picnic difficult.”

Origin: Latin intermittere `to discontinue` (inter `between` + mittere `to send`)

appearing or occurring at intervals

“The periodic table organizes elements by their properties.”

Origin: Greek periodikos `coming round at intervals` (peri `around` + hodos `way`)

occurring often or repeatedly

“She suffered from recurrent nightmares after the accident.”

Origin: Latin recurrere `to run back` (re- `back` + currere `to run`)

continuing without pause or interruption

“The incessant noise of construction drove him mad.”

Origin: Latin incessare `to not cease` (in- `not` + cessare `to cease`)

not occurring often; rare

“Her visits became increasingly infrequent over the years.”

Origin: Latin infrequens `not crowded` (in- `not` + frequens `crowded, frequent`)

present, appearing, or found everywhere

“Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society.”

Origin: Latin ubique `everywhere` (ubi `where` + -que `and`)

spreading widely throughout an area or group

“A pervasive sense of dread hung over the village.”

Origin: Latin pervadere `to go through` (per `through` + vadere `to go`)