occasionally
adverb
oc·ca·sion·al·ly ə-ˈkā-zh(ə-)nə-lē 
: on occasion : now and then
dines out occasionally
We occasionally see deer in the field.
Synonyms
- here and there
- now
- now and then
- sometimes
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Occasionally, things don't go as planned. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes.
Recent Examples on the Web Along the line, people chatted, talked about the weather and occasionally shared a joke. 
Max Colchester, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2022 Cowell, always a good sport, laughed from the judge's table, occasionally burying his head in his hands in embarrassment. Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2022 Much of the collection has been in storage and only occasionally, if that, rotated into the galleries. Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2022 Add meat; cook until browned, turning occasionally. Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2022 Wearing a Red Sox pullover, Jose had field passes before the game and took in the scene, occasionally snapping photographs. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2022 The linebackers are especially active, with Knowles firing Tommy Eichenberg, Steele Chambers and occasionally Cody Simon into the gaps at least once per series. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 14 Sep. 2022 As America’s use of sanctions grows, such efforts have become a booming field of public-policy design and, occasionally, bold experiments. Steve Coll, The New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2022 QAnon and other conspiracy theories have torn apart families across America and occasionally led to violence. David K. Li, NBC News, 14 Sep. 2022 See More
Max Colchester, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2022 Cowell, always a good sport, laughed from the judge's table, occasionally burying his head in his hands in embarrassment. Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2022 Much of the collection has been in storage and only occasionally, if that, rotated into the galleries. Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2022 Add meat; cook until browned, turning occasionally. Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2022 Wearing a Red Sox pullover, Jose had field passes before the game and took in the scene, occasionally snapping photographs. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2022 The linebackers are especially active, with Knowles firing Tommy Eichenberg, Steele Chambers and occasionally Cody Simon into the gaps at least once per series. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 14 Sep. 2022 As America’s use of sanctions grows, such efforts have become a booming field of public-policy design and, occasionally, bold experiments. Steve Coll, The New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2022 QAnon and other conspiracy theories have torn apart families across America and occasionally led to violence. David K. Li, NBC News, 14 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English occasionaly "on a particular occasion, sometimes," from occasyonal occasional + -ly -ly entry 2
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing occasionally
occasionally
adverb
as in sometimes
on some occasions we occasionally stop for ice cream on the way home Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- sometimes
- now
- periodically
- sporadically
- at times
- on occasion
- intermittently
- rarely
- infrequently
- seldom
- once in a while
- every so often
- every now and then
- every now and again
- ever and anon
- from time to time
- now and then
- recurrently
- irregularly
- here and there
- little
- variously
- off and on
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- often
- frequently
- usually
- regularly
- commonly
- routinely
- oftentimes
- ordinarily
- much
- always
- oft
- constantly
- invariably
- hourly
- consistently
- continually
- ofttimes
- continuously
- incessantly
- perpetually
- ever
- unceasingly
- endlessly
- uninterruptedly
- continuingly
- interminably