stopping or ceasing for a time; alternately ceasing and beginning again

an intermittent pain.

alternately functioning and not functioning or alternately functioning properly and improperly.

(of streams, lakes, or springs) recurrent; showing water only part of the time.

adjective

constant , continual , continuing , perpetual , regular

adjective

alternate , arrested , broken , by bits and pieces , checked , cyclic , cyclical , discontinuing , discontinuous , epochal , every other , fitful , here and there , hit-or-miss * , infrequent , interrupted , isochronal , isochronous , iterant , iterative , metrical , now and then * , occasional , on and off * , periodic , periodical , punctuated , recurrent , recurring , rhythmic , rhythmical , seasonal , serial , shifting , spasmodic , stop-and-go , sporadic , alternating , episodic , hesitant , irregular , on and off , remittent