sporadic
/spɒˈɹædɪk/
Group 5Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Occurring at irregular intervals; scattered or isolated GRE
Example in Context
Sporadic outbreaks of violence continued despite the ceasefire, raising doubts about the durability of the peace agreement.
Synonyms
occasionalscatteredirregular
Etymology
Scattered occurrences at irregular intervals — not consistent.
- sporadikos (Greek) — scattered
Memory Aid
🍝Sounds like “spaghetti”
A plate of SPAGHETTI splattered everywhere, with noodles falling sporadically off the table!
Visual Association
🌧️Raindrops falling sporadically from the sky, with long dry spells in between, creating a patchy wet landscape.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “sporadic” mean on the GRE?
sporadic (adjective) means “Occurring at irregular intervals; scattered or isolated”. Sporadic outbreaks of violence continued despite the ceasefire, raising doubts about the durability of the peace agreement.
How to remember “sporadic” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “sporadic” sounds like “spaghetti”. A plate of SPAGHETTI splattered everywhere, with noodles falling sporadically off the table!
What are synonyms for “sporadic”?
Common synonyms: occasional, scattered, irregular.