occasional

Occasional — Oc*ca sion*al ([o^]k*k[=a] zh[u^]n*al), a. [Cf. F. occasionnel.] 1. Occuring at times, but not constant, regular, or systematic; made or happening as opportunity requires or admits; casual; incidental; as, occasional remarks, or efforts. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

occasional — [ə kā′zhə nəl, ōkā′zhə nəl] adj. 1. occurring on a particular occasion 2. of or for a special occasion [occasional verse] 3. acting only on special occasions 4. of irregular occurrence; happening now and then; infrequent 5. designating chairs,… …   English World dictionary

occasional — ► ADJECTIVE 1) occurring infrequently or irregularly. 2) produced on or intended for particular occasions: occasional verse. DERIVATIVES occasionally adverb …   English terms dictionary

occasional — index casual, infrequent, intermittent, periodic, sporadic, uncommon, unusual Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton …   Law dictionary

occasional — (adj.) late 14c., occurring now and then, from OCCASION (Cf. occasion) (n.) + AL (Cf. al) (1). Meaning casual is 1560s. Meaning happening on or pertaining to a particular occasion is from 1630s. Of furniture, etc., from 1749 …   Etymology dictionary

occasional — infrequent, uncommon, scarce, rare, sporadic Analogous words: casual, desultory, *random: incidental, *accidental Antonyms: customary Contrasted words: *usual, habitual, accustomed, wonted: constant, *continual, continuous …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

occasional — [adj] irregular, sporadic casual, desultory, especial, exceptional, exclusive, few, incidental, infrequent, intermittent, not habitual, odd, off and on*, particular, random, rare, scarce, seldom,special, specific, uncommon, unfrequent, unusual;… …   New thesaurus

occasional — adjective Date: circa 1631 1. a. of or relating to a particular occasion < a budget able to meet occasional demands as well as regular ones > b. created for a particular occasion < occasional verse > 2. acting as the occasion or contributing… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

occasional */*/ — UK [əˈkeɪʒ(ə)nəl] / US [əˈkeɪʒən(ə)l] adjective [usually before noun] 1) happening sometimes, but not frequently or regularly Chocolate is best kept as an occasional treat. Joe s a solid player with occasional flashes of brilliance. occasional… …   English dictionary

occasional — /əˈkeɪʒənəl / (say uh kayzhuhnuhl) adjective 1. occurring or appearing from time to time, not at regular intervals: an occasional visitor. 2. a. created for a particular occasion: an occasional verse. b. designed for use at some great occasion of …   Australian-English dictionary

occasional — oc|ca|sion|al W3S3 [əˈkeıʒənəl] adj [only before noun] happening sometimes but not often or regularly ▪ He made occasional visits to London. ▪ They had an occasional coffee together after shopping. ▪ He only has occasional use of a car. ▪ We… …   Dictionary of contemporary English