Frequent — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective /frē-ˈkwent/ (verb) /ˈfrē-kwənt/ (adjective) fre·quent

Meaning & Definition of Frequent

Frequent (verb)

  1. to associate with, be in, or resort to often or habitually
  2. to read systematically or habitually

Frequent (adjective)

  1. common, usual
  2. happening at short intervals, often repeated or occurring
  3. full, thronged

Frequent (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. appearing or occurring repeatedly from time to time

    "our local multiplex usually has frequent showings of blockbusters, with starting times about every half hour"

    similar: constant, habitual, periodic, periodical, regular, repeated, steady
    related: continual, intermittent, recurrent, recurring, cyclic, around-the-clock, hourly, round-the-clock, 24-7, chronic, confirmed, inveterate, expected, usual
    opposite: inconstant, infrequent, irregular
    near: episodic, occasional, unexpected, unusual

  2. often observed or encountered

    "finches are frequent sights in this part of the country"

    similar: common, common or garden (chiefly British), commonplace, everyday, familiar, garden-variety, household, ordinary, quotidian, routine, ubiquitous, usual, a dime a dozen
    related: normal, regular, standard, de rigueur, mandatory, obligatory, general, universal, ceaseless, constant, continual, continuous, incessant, unceasing, endemic, popular, prevailing, prevalent, rampant, perennial, recurrent, repeated
    opposite: extraordinary, infrequent, rare, seldom, uncommon, unfamiliar, unusual
    near: aberrant, abnormal, irregular, unnatural, intermittent, occasional, sporadic

Frequent (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to go to or spend time in often

    "like their counterparts elsewhere, the town's teenagers like to frequent the local malls"

    similar: affect, habituate, hang (at), haunt, resort (to), visit
    related: patronize, attend, take in, infest, invade, overrun, swarm, call (on or upon), drop by, drop in, pop (in), run (in), stop (by or in), camp (out in), sojourn (at), stay (at), stop (over), tarry (in)
    opposite: avoid, shun
    near: dodge, duck, elude, escape, eschew, evade, shake

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Frequent

The most common words with a similar meaning to Frequent:

Chiefly British: common or garden
constant, habitual, periodic, periodical, regular, repeated, steady, common, commonplace, everyday, familiar, garden-variety, household, ordinary, quotidian, routine, ubiquitous, usual, a dime a dozen, affect, habituate, hang (at), haunt, resort (to), visit

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Frequent

Words with the opposite meaning of Frequent:

inconstant, infrequent, irregular, extraordinary, rare, seldom, uncommon, unfamiliar, unusual, avoid, shun

Related Words for Frequent

continual, intermittent, recurrent, recurring, cyclic, around-the-clock, hourly, round-the-clock, 24-7, chronic, confirmed, inveterate, expected, normal, standard, de rigueur, mandatory, obligatory, general, universal, ceaseless, continuous, incessant, unceasing, endemic, popular, prevailing, prevalent, rampant, perennial

Near Antonyms of Frequent

episodic, occasional, unexpected, aberrant, abnormal, unnatural, intermittent, sporadic, dodge, duck, elude, escape, eschew, evade, shake

Word Forms of Frequent

Inflections: frequented, frequenting, frequents

Derived words: frequentation (noun), frequenter (noun), frequentness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Frequent

Middle English, ample, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, crowded, from Latin frequent-, frequens

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Frequent

Words & Phrases Containing Frequent

frequent-flier

Frequently Asked Questions about Frequent

What does "Frequent" mean?

"Frequent" means to associate with, be in, or resort to often or habitually. As an a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: to associate with, be in, or resort to often or habitually. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Frequent"?

Other words for "Frequent" include constant, habitual, periodic, periodical, regular, repeated, steady and common. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Frequent" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Frequent"?

There are 74 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Frequent". Common alternatives include constant, habitual, periodic, periodical, regular, repeated, steady, common, common or garden and commonplace.

What is the opposite of "Frequent"?

Antonyms of "Frequent" include inconstant, infrequent, irregular, extraordinary, rare, seldom, uncommon and unfamiliar. Near antonyms include episodic, occasional, unexpected and aberrant.

How do you use "Frequent" in a sentence?

Examples of "Frequent" in a sentence: "our local multiplex usually has frequent showings of blockbusters, with starting times about every half hour"; "finches are frequent sights in this part of the country"; "like their counterparts elsewhere, the town's teenagers like to frequent the local malls".

Is "Frequent" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Frequent" can be used as a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Frequent" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Frequent" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Frequent"?

"Frequent" is pronounced /frē-ˈkwent/ as a verb and /ˈfrē-kwənt/ as an adjective and divided into syllables as fre·quent.