SPORADIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sporadic mean? 

• SPORADIC (adjective)
  The adjective SPORADIC has 1 sense:

1. recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances

  Familiarity information: SPORADIC used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SPORADIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances

Context example:

a city subjected to sporadic bombing raids

Similar:

fitful; spasmodic (occurring in spells and often abruptly)

intermittent (stopping and starting at irregular intervals)

occasional; periodic (recurring or reappearing from time to time)

irregular; unpredictable (not occurring at a regular rate or fixed intervals)

isolated; stray (not close together in time)

Also:

discontinuous; noncontinuous (not continuing without interruption in time or space)

infrequent (not frequent; not occurring regularly or at short intervals)

Antonym:

continual (recurring regularly or frequently in a prolonged and closely spaced series)

 Context examples 

Both familiar and sporadic cases have been reported.

(Gigantiform Cementoma, NCI Thesaurus)

The majority of cases are sporadic, and usually unilateral.

(Benign Adrenal Gland Pheochromocytoma, NCI Thesaurus)

It may be a sporadic lesion or part of Brooke-Spiegler syndrome.

(Cylindroma, NCI Thesaurus)

Eventually, in the year 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sporadic enlargement of the thyroid gland that is not associated with changes in thyroid function or malignancy.

(Nontoxic Goiter, NCI Thesaurus)

Sporadic nodular enlargement of the thyroid gland that is not associated with changes in thyroid function or malignancy.

(Non-Toxic Nodular Goiter, NCI Thesaurus)

Mutations in this gene have been linked to sporadic breast cancer.

(PHB wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)

Mutations in this gene, or deletion of a chromosomal segment containing this gene, are associated with sporadic hepatocellular carcinomas, colorectal cancers, and non-small cell lung cancers.

(Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor-Like Protein, NCI Thesaurus/LocusLink)

The sporadic papillary renal cell carcinoma is characterized by trisomy of chromosomes 7, 16, and 17, and loss of chromosome Y.

(Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma, NCI Thesaurus)

About 40 percent of sporadic CJD patients develop eye problems that could lead to an eye exam, meaning the potential exists for the contamination of eye exam equipment designed for repeat use.

(Eyes of CJD patients show evidence of prions, National Institutes of Health)