Sporadic Meaning
/spəˈɹæd.ɪk/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adj(of diseases) occurring in isolated instances; not epidemic.
adjRare and scattered in occurrence.
Sentence Examples
My connection has sporadic problems.
Apart from hearing sporadic gunfire, the day was pretty quiet.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The internet connection was ____, cutting out unexpectedly every few minutes.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
There were ____ reports of power outages across the city during the violent thunderstorm last night.
Word Origin & History
From Medieval Latin sporadicus (whence also French sporadique, Italian sporadico, Spanish esporádico), from Ancient Greek σποραδικός (sporadikós), from σποράς (sporás, “scattered, dispersed”), from σπορά (sporá), σπόρος (spóros, “a sowing [of seed]”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"It was a stodgy, weary display from Mourinho’s team with only sporadic moments when they threatened Salvatore Sirigu’s goal and their manager seemed bewildered afterwards when he tried to explain what had gone wrong."
— 2015 March 12, Daniel Taylor, “Chelsea out of Champions League after Thiago Silva sends 10-man PSG through on away goals”, in The Guardian (London):
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The internet connection was ____, cutting out unexpectedly every few minutes.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
There were ____ reports of power outages across the city during the violent thunderstorm last night.