fitful
fitful Lexical Profile
fitful Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Active or occurring spasmodically or intermittently; not regular or steady.
"A fitful breeze rustled the dry autumn leaves before dying down completely."
Characterized by restlessness and frequent interruptions (especially of sleep or rest).
"After a few hours of fitful sleep, she woke up feeling exhausted and unrefreshed."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'fitful' with 'fitting' (suitable or appropriate); 'fitful' derives from the noun 'fit' in the sense of a sudden spasm or outburst, meaning irregular and restless.
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the late 16th century from the noun 'fit' (from Old English 'fitt', meaning a conflict, struggle, or painful paroxysm) combined with the suffix '-ful', and famously popularized by William Shakespeare in Macbeth ('After life's fitful fever he sleeps well').