adjective

intermittent

in-ter-MIT-unt/ˌɪntərˈmɪtənt/

Happening from time to time rather than continuously.

Intermittent drops fall from the tap, separated by uneven pauses.

A simple tap releases separated unevenly spaced drops into a basin, with gaps clearly visible between droplets.

Etymology

interLatinbetween

+mittLatinto let go or send

+entLatinpresent-participle ending

“Between” and “let go” underlie a verb meaning to cease or pause. Intermittent describes activity interrupted by such pauses, stopping and resuming rather than continuing steadily.

In context

Andrew Huberman110:35

in the intermittent fasting studies, which is maybe a good tool to look at compared to continuous feeding

The Science of Eating for Health, Fat Loss & Lean Muscle | Dr. Layne Norton

More examples

The loose cable causes intermittent sound during calls.
She feels intermittent pain in her left knee.
We make intermittent progress, with long pauses between projects.

Forms

intermittent

intermittently adverb — At intervals rather than without interruption.

Similar words

sporadic: Emphasizes scattered, irregular occurrences rather than repeated interruptions.
periodic: Suggests regular intervals; intermittent events need not follow a schedule.
occasional: Emphasizes infrequency rather than alternation between activity and pauses.