(something happens) sporadically

If something happens "sporadically", it happens sometimes in unpredictable patterns.

Some examples of "sporadic" events include:

thunderstorms

a sick person's coughing

big changes in the stock market

The word "sporadically" sounds a little bit technical. You use it like this:

The water in the building goes out sporadically. It's so annoying.

This phrase appears in these lessons: