How Do You Spell SPORADIC?

Pronunciation: [spɔːɹˈadɪk] (IPA)

Sporadic is a word that describes something that occurs irregularly or unpredictably. The IPA phonetic transcription of sporadic is /spəˈrædɪk/. The first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, while the second syllable is pronounced with a short 'a'. The 'd' is pronounced with a flap, and the final syllable is pronounced with a short 'i' and a 'k' sound. The spelling of sporadic follows typical English pronunciation rules, where the vowels are pronounced differently depending on their position in the word.

SPORADIC Meaning and Definition

  1. Sporadic is an adjective that describes something occurring irregularly or infrequently. It is derived from the Greek word "sporadikos," meaning scattered or separate. When something happens sporadically, it happens at random intervals or in isolated instances, lacking a consistent pattern or regularity.

    In various contexts, sporadic can refer to occurrences such as events, incidents, or phenomena. For instance, sporadic rainfall describes rain that comes and goes unpredictably, with no fixed schedule or dependable frequency. Similarly, sporadic conflicts or sporadic violence denote occasional outbreaks that are not continuous or widespread.

    Sporadic is also used to describe behavior, actions, or habits that are inconsistent or intermittent. For instance, if someone has sporadic attendance at work, it means they show up irregularly without a consistent schedule. In the medical field, sporadic can refer to the occurrence of a disease or condition that appears only occasionally, without a clear pattern among different individuals or populations.

    Overall, sporadic implies a lack of regularity, continuity, or predictability. While it suggests that something may happen from time to time, it emphasizes that there is no established pattern in its occurrence.

  2. Occurring singly, not grouped; neither epidemic nor endemic.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. Seattered-applied to diseases which occur in single and scattered cases; opposed to epidemic and endemic.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for SPORADIC *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SPORADIC

Etymology of SPORADIC

The word "sporadic" originated from the Late Latin term "sporadicus", which was derived from the Greek word "sporadikos". In Greek, "sporadikos" means "scattered" or "occurring irregularly". The Greek root comes from "spora", meaning "a scattered sowing" or "seed". Ultimately, the word "sporadic" implies something that occurs intermittently or unpredictably, which reflects its original meaning derived from agriculture.

Similar spelling words for SPORADIC

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