occasional

[ uh-key-zhuh-nl ]

/ əˈkeɪ ʒə nl /

occurring or appearing at irregular or infrequent intervals; occurring now and then: an occasional headache.

intended for supplementary use when needed: an occasional chair.

pertaining to, arising out of, or intended for the occasion: occasional verses.

acting or serving for the occasion or only on particular occasions.

serving as the occasion or incidental cause.

Origin of occasional

First recorded in 1560–70; occasion + -al¹

oc·ca·sion·al·ness, oc·ca·sion·al·i·ty, noun un·oc·ca·sion·al, adjective un·oc·ca·sion·al·ly, adverb

Contrary to what you may assume about me, I actually enjoy the occasional trip to the mall.

It’s Always Black Friday for Clerks |Michael Tomasky |November 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Occasional, more traditional efforts have met with success—the Big Apple Circus and lingering smaller acts.

We’re All Carnies Now: Why We Can’t Quit the Circus |Anthony Paletta |November 27, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
And, again, I now confess, I had an occasional Bourbon and stoogie on the cuff.

Up to a Point: In Defense of Lobbyists |P. J. O’Rourke |October 25, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Manning's antics have earned him inches in print and occasional spots on television.

‘Crazy’ Harlem Pastor Hates on Obama and Gays |Olivia Nuzzi |September 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

OK, she over-sings at times, and an occasional touch of shrillness enters her voice.

Can Lady Gaga Do Jazz? |Ted Gioia |September 22, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
An occasional pacifying answer from my two neighbours failed of its effect.

The Passing of the Turkish Empire in Europe |B. Granville Baker
Hayne's work is even less important, for he did not, like Timrod and Lanier, touch an occasional height of inspired utterance.

American Men of Mind |Burton E. Stevenson
It kept on raining very hard, and there were occasional lightning flashes and crashes of thunder.

Baartock |Lewis Roth
The Meads would be quite a good old place in which to spend an occasional furlough.

Etheldreda the Ready |Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
But occasional acts of drunkenness, if the seaman in other respects performs his duty, will not deprive him of his wages.

The Seaman's Friend |Richard Henry Dana

occasional

/ (əˈkeɪʒənəl) /

taking place from time to time; not frequent or regular

of, for, or happening on special occasions

serving as an occasion (for something)