What does "frequency" mean?
The rate of occurrence of anything; the relationship between incidence and time period.
Frequency
/ˈfɹiːkwənsi/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The rate of occurrence of anything; the relationship between incidence and time period.
- Grammar: frequency is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: absolute frequency, af, amplitude, antinode.
- Useful contrasts: infrequency, less frequently, more infrequent.
- Usage evidence: The recent frequency of earthquakes makes us nervous.
How to use "frequency"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "frequency" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "frequency" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "frequency" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "frequency" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "frequency" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "absolute frequency" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "frequency", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The rate of occurrence of anything; the relationship between incidence and time period. countable, uncountable
"With growing confidence, the Viking’s raids increased in frequency."
- 2 the number of observations in a given statistical category wordnet
- 3 The property of occurring often rather than infrequently. uncountable
"The FAQ addresses questions that come up with some frequency."
- 4 the ratio of the number of observations in a statistical category to the total number of observations wordnet
- 5 The quotient of the number of times n a periodic phenomenon occurs over the time t in which it occurs: f=n/t. countable
"The frequency of the musical note A above middle C is 440 oscillations per second."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 the number of occurrences within a given time period wordnet
- 7 A tone, character, mood, or vibe countable, uncountable
"And if you haven’t picked up on the gay frequencies in her lyrics, her wig choices, and her possible lesbian salutes? Maybe that’s because they weren’t meant for you. IYKYK."
- 8 number of times an event occurred in an experiment (absolute frequency) countable, uncountable
- 9 range of electromagnetic waves used for wireless communication in devices like radios, TVs and mobile phones countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"The recent frequency of earthquakes makes us nervous."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "frequency"?
Common synonyms include: absolute frequency, af, amplitude, antinode, audio frequency, carrier frequency.
How do you use "frequency" in a sentence?
The recent frequency of earthquakes makes us nervous.
How do you pronounce "frequency"?
Pronounced /ˈfɹiːkwənsi/.
Etymology
From Latin frequentia, from frequens. By surface analysis, frequent + -cy.