Core meaning: occurring at irregular or non-continuous intervals
Mainstream dictionaries define 'intermittent' as something that starts and stops, or that recurs at intervals instead of continuing without a break. Merriam-Webster and the Cambridge Dictionary give this same core sense (merriam-webster.com; cambridge.org). The word is neutral. It describes a pattern in time, not a judgment of quality. Its Latin root, intermittere, means 'to leave off' or 'to pause'. People often confuse it with 'periodic'. Periodic events recur at regular intervals, while intermittent ones may be irregular or unpredictable.
Technical use: intermittency is a key challenge in energy systems
In energy policy, 'intermittent' usually refers to variable renewable sources such as solar and wind, whose output depends on weather and time of day. The International Energy Agency and national grid operators generally say that this variability can be managed. The main tools are grid flexibility, storage (batteries and pumped hydro), demand response, wider transmission interconnection, and diversified generation. Experts see intermittency as an engineering and market-design problem that grows with the share of variable renewables. Most do not see it as a barrier to decarbonization. Many prefer the term 'variable' to describe these sources.
Health and science: intermittent patterns are studied with measured caution
The word also appears in medicine and nutrition, for example intermittent fasting, intermittent claudication, and intermittent explosive disorder. In each case it marks a condition or intervention that is on-off rather than constant. Intermittent fasting has drawn the most public attention. Trials show modest benefits for weight loss and some metabolic markers, broadly comparable to ordinary calorie restriction. Long-term evidence is limited, and it may not suit pregnant people, people with eating disorders, or people with diabetes who take certain medications. Medical bodies advise individualized guidance and are cautious about strong claims.
Conclusion
The mainstream view is that 'intermittent' is a descriptive term for something that starts and stops, and it is not the same as 'periodic'. In energy it points to a manageable variability challenge. In health it is a pattern whose benefits and limits need careful evidence. Context decides which meaning applies.
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References
Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'intermittent'
Cambridge Dictionary, 'intermittent'
International Energy Agency, 'Integrating Power Systems: Variable Renewables and System Flexibility' reports
de Cabo R, Mattson MP. 'Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Health, Aging, and Disease.' New England Journal of Medicine, 2019;381:2541-2551
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