occasionally

Occasionally is an adverb used to describe something that happens from time to time, at irregular or infrequent intervals. It implies events occur without a fixed schedule. In common usage, occasionally signals a lower frequency than sometimes, but higher than rarely, though the exact sense can vary with context.

In grammar, occasionally typically modifies the main verb and can appear at various sentence positions. It is common in both informal and formal writing and speech. For example: We occasionally visit the seaside in winter. The project occasionally encounters delays, but progress continues overall. Placement tends to be flexible, though placing it near the verb or near the auxiliary can affect emphasis.

Etymologically, occasionally is formed from the noun occasion plus the adverbial suffix -ly, with the sense shifting toward indicating occurrences at certain moments. The noun occasion derives from Old French occasion and ultimately from Latin occasio, roughly meaning a suitable time or opportunity. The adverb entered English in the 15th century and has remained a standard, non-strong qualifier of frequency.

See also terms for related frequency markers, such as sometimes, periodically, intermittently, and sporadically. As with other mild frequency adverbs, occasional usage can subtly soften statements about events or actions, making them sound matter-of-fact rather than definite.