Etymologically
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occasional

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 14:18. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /əˈkeɪʒ(ə)nəl/[1]

Etymology

It is formed from occasion and -al, or from Old French ocasionel and directly Medieval Latin occasionalis.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Occurring now and then: the late 14th century in Etymonline;[2] 1611 in MWU, and casual, incidental, 1568 in the OED.[3][4]

Semantic evolution

Casual is from the 1560s and is obsolete.[2][4] Happening without regularity, as occasion presents itself, is from 1630.[4] Pertaining to a particular occasion is from the 1630s (before 1631 in the OED),[2][4] and of a speech, poem or service written for one, from 1687.[4] Of furniture, adapted for use on special occasions, it is from 1749,[2][4] and of persons employed on particular occasions from 1759.[4] Middle English also had occasionary, favourable, giving opportunity.[2]

Timeline

  • late 14th century – occurring now and then.[2]
  • 1568 – casual (obsolete).[4]
  • 1630 – irregular.[4]
  • 1687 – written for an occasion.[4]
  • 1749 – of furniture.[4]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Happening from time to time; not frequent or regular.
  2. Made or done for a special occasion: occasional verse.
  3. Meant for use as the occasion requires: an occasional table.
  4. Acting in a capacity from time to time.

Word family

  • occasionalness
  • occasionalism
  • unoccasional
  • occasionally

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press