DictionaryRoot: -ly
English

-ly

in a particular way

Forms

  • -ly
  • -li- — A spelling sometimes used before another ending.

Origin

Old English -lice, related to lic, “body” or “form,” and the ending that became adjective-forming -ly.

Note

An expression meaning roughly “in the form of” developed into a general way to describe how something happens.

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adverb

occasionally

Sometimes, but not often or regularly.

I occasionally take a different route home from work.

Etymology

Occasional means occurring on some occasions. The adverb describes an action as happening from time to time, without regularity.

More examples

  • We eat out occasionally, usually when nobody wants to cook.
  • The old heater occasionally makes a rattling noise.
  • She works from home occasionally, but most days she commutes.

Forms

occasional adjective — Happening sometimes, but not often or regularly.

Similar words

sometimes
Does not necessarily suggest that something happens only rarely.
sporadically
Emphasizes scattered, irregular occurrences rather than simply low frequency.
infrequently
Emphasizes low frequency without suggesting an irregular pattern.