frequent

1 of 2

verb

fre·​quent frē-ˈkwent How to pronounce frequent (audio) ˈfrē-kwənt How to pronounce frequent (audio)
frequented; frequenting; frequents
Synonyms of frequentnext

transitive verb

1
: to associate with, be in, or resort to often or habitually
a bar frequented by sports fans
a restaurant frequented by local politicians
2
archaic : to read systematically or habitually
frequentation
ˌfrē-ˌkwen-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce frequent (audio)
-kwən-
noun
frequenter noun

frequent

2 of 2

adjective

fre·​quent ˈfrē-kwənt How to pronounce frequent (audio)
1
a
: common, usual
a frequent practice among these people
b
: happening at short intervals : often repeated or occurring
a bus making frequent stops
2
obsolete : full, thronged
3
: acting or returning regularly or often
a frequent visitor
a frequent customer
4
archaic : intimate, familiar
frequentness noun

Synonyms

Verb

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of frequent in a Sentence

Verb He began frequenting cheap bars. a neighborhood frequented by tourists a restaurant frequented by local politicians
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
That Monday evening, Jan. 18, Pereda went alone to La Taquito, a fast-food restaurant frequented by foreign students. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025 Three years later, Katy and Shan Damani, a couple from the Bay Area who frequented the business, took over ownership and brought it back to life. — Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
In addition, Aaron has been a frequent contributor to the NHL Network and The Hockey News, among other outlets. — Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025 Off-season flights are still available but less frequent. — Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for frequent

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of frequent was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing frequent

Rhymes for frequent

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Browse Nearby Words

frequent
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Cite this Entry

“Frequent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frequent. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

frequent

1 of 2 adjective
fre·​quent ˈfrē-kwənt How to pronounce frequent (audio)
1
: happening often
made frequent trips to town
2
: regular entry 1 sense 3b, habitual
a frequent visitor to the museum
frequently adverb
frequentness noun

frequent

2 of 2 verb
fre·​quent frē-ˈkwent How to pronounce frequent (audio)
ˈfrē-kwənt
: to visit, associate with, or go to often
frequents the library
frequenter noun

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