What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
occulting
Example
The lighthouse has an occulting light that flashes every 10 seconds. [occulting: adjective]
Example
The ship followed the occulting beacon to navigate through the fog. [occulting: present participle]
intermittent
Example
The car had an intermittent problem with the engine that was difficult to diagnose. [intermittent: adjective]
Example
The radio signal was intermittent and kept cutting out. [intermittent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Intermittent is more commonly used than occulting in everyday language. Intermittent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while occulting is more specialized and typically used in technical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between occulting and intermittent?
Occulting is a more formal word than intermittent, which is more commonly used in everyday language and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.