infrequently

Infrequently is an adverb used to indicate that something happens not often or at long intervals. It signals low frequency with gaps between occurrences rather than a constant, predictable rate. The term is typically more formal and less strong than words like rarely or seldom.

Usage and examples: It normally modifies a verb or verb phrase. For example, “The buses run infrequently at night,” or “They infrequently visit their hometown.” It can appear in various tenses and constructions, but it remains primarily a descriptor of how often an action occurs. In everyday speech, infrequently is less common than rarely or seldom and may sound formal in informal contexts. It can convey irregular or uneven timing rather than a simple low probability.

Nuance and related terms: Infrequently emphasizes irregular intervals and sporadic occurrences, whereas rarely or seldom often suggest a lower likelihood or frequency with a more definite sense of rarity. Sporadically is a related adverb that stresses irregular bursts of activity rather than steady, evenly spaced occurrences. Antonyms include frequently and often, which indicate recurring actions with short or no gaps.

Etymology and form: Infrequently is formed from the adjective infrequent plus the adverbial suffix -ly. It shares roots with other frequency-related words and is part of the broader category of adverbs of frequency used to describe how often actions occur.