Sporadic definition: (of similar things or occurrences) appearing or happening at irregular intervals in time; occasional .. See examples of SPORADIC used in a sentence. The adjective ' sporadic ' has its etymological origins in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word 'sporadicus,' which, in turn, comes from the Greek word 'sporadikos,' meaning 'scattered' or 'dispersed.' Therefore, ' sporadic ' etymologically signifies something that is scattered or occurring in a dispersed manner. Sporadic means occurring at irregular intervals or in scattered places, with no pattern or order. It can also describe a disease or condition that is not epidemic, endemic, or inherited. See synonyms, translations, and usage examples of sporadic . SPORADIC definition: 1. happening sometimes; not regular or continuous: 2. happening sometimes; not regular or…. Learn more.