frequented

Frequented is the past participle of the verb frequent, and it can function as both a verb and, less commonly, an adjective. As a verb, to frequent means to visit a place often or to be a regular attendee there. Frequenetd indicates that the action has occurred regularly in the past or over a period of time, as in “She frequently frequented the old library” or “The café was frequented by students.” As an adjective, frequented can describe a place that is regularly visited by people, though this usage is more formal and less common in everyday speech: for example, “a frequented market” or “one of the city’s frequented taverns.”

Etymology and form: The verb frequent comes from the Latin frequentare, meaning to crowd or to crowd together, from frequentus, meaning crowded or frequent. The English form emerged in the Middle Ages and evolved to its current participle and adjectival uses.

Usage notes: In contemporary writing, writers often pair frequented with prepositional phrases to indicate who visits a place, as in “a market frequented by locals.” To emphasize regularity of visits, one may use adverbs or rephrase, such as “a market frequently visited by locals” or simply “a frequently visited market.” The phrase is generally neutral in tone and appropriate in descriptive or encyclopedic contexts, though it can sound formal or slightly old-fashioned in casual prose.

See also: Visit, visit frequency, patronize.