periodic

[peer-ee-od-ik] / ˌpɪər iˈɒd ɪk /

ADJECTIVE

at fixed intervals

Synonyms

STRONGEST

annual intermittent monthly occasional recurrent recurring regular repeated routine seasonal sporadic weekly yearly

STRONG

periodical

WEAK

alternate at various times centennial cyclic cyclical daily epochal every once in a while every so often fluctuating hourly infrequent isochronal isochronous on certain occasions on-again-off-again orbital perennial rhythmic serial spasmodic

Antonyms

STRONGEST

constant infrequent unusual

WEAK

continual irregular lasting permanent sporadic variable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Edmond Halley later became famous for identifying the periodic nature of the bright comet now officially called 1P/Halley.

From Science Daily • May 13, 2026

Its aging facilities, originally built between the 1930s and ’50s, require replacement rather than the periodic updates they’ve received.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

I always look forward to his periodic columns in the sports section.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2026

Scotland has had periodic agreements for tenancies since 2017, but Wales and Northern Ireland still allow fixed-term contracts.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

One of Freud’s closest friends, a surgeon named Wilhelm Fliess, invented biorhythmic analysis, a practice based on the notion that various aspects of one’s life follow rigid periodic cycles which begin at birth.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Vocabulary lists containing periodic

Freak the Mighty

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Word Generation Science - Introductory Chemistry Concepts

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Essential English Vocabulary, List 3

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