infrequently worn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "infrequently worn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe clothing or accessories that are not often used or put on. Example: "This dress is beautiful, but it's infrequently worn because I don't have many occasions to showcase it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

After our first year there, my grandfather sent Reverend Tracy his infrequently worn suits.

The New York Times - Travel

Days before Lennox Lewis knocked out Mike Tyson on Saturday night, the locals were cramming the streets in their finest Gucci, Pucci, Versace and Vuitton, not infrequently worn at the same time.

The New York Times - Sports

Authentic sports jerseys are expensive and infrequently worn, but that doesn't stop fans from wanting to own as many as possible from all their favorite players.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Staff infrequently wore eye protection while performing experiments with vaccinia.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Such an implication is unwarranted, given that ≈70% of all persons tested by Fulhorst et al. never (or infrequently) wore any protective equipment while handling rodents in the field.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

While most of the riders in the Tour de France have worn helmets infrequently, Lance Armstrong, the American cyclist favored to win the race today, wore a helmet through most of the race.

The New York Times

Bright colors were rare; black, beige, gray, brown, white, and blue dominate; patterns were infrequently seen; men wore hats and jackets, women wore dresses or skirts; and the most extravagant flourishes were commercial: the mustard-yellow of a Yiddish store sign, the sun-yellow of a billboard, the canary-yellow of buses, the poppy-red of Coca-Cola ads.

The New Yorker

It changes little from year to year -- perhaps a few less charity benefits and a few more scandals -- but the police still patrol unceasingly, real jewels are worn in the evening -- and not infrequently during the day -- coconut is spelled cocoanut on the street signs.

The New York Times - Travel

Initially, I thought the smell was from Sam he showered infrequently and often bragged about not wearing deodorant but he assured me it wasn't.

Vice

Health professionals infrequently identified difficulty for their patients in wearing preferred footwear in the immediate post ankle fracture period.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The current analysis examined data from 45 of the participants of the RT-CGM group only who wore the RT-CGM (3 refused to wear it after randomization, and 2 wore it too infrequently to allow appropriate examination).

Diabetes Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing clothing or accessories, consider using "infrequently worn" to convey that the item is reserved for special occasions or is not part of a regular wardrobe. For more impact you could combine the phrase with some specific descriptions, for example: "This dress is beautiful, but it's "infrequently worn" because I don't have many occasions to showcase it".

Common error

Avoid using "infrequently worn" in very casual settings, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "rarely worn" or "not often worn" in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "infrequently worn" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifically describing a noun (usually an item of clothing) by indicating how often it is worn. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "infrequently worn" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe items, typically clothing, that are not worn often. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase. While "infrequently worn" is not incorrect, its relatively low frequency suggests that simpler alternatives like "rarely worn" or "seldom used" might be more appropriate in casual contexts. The phrase is used mostly in News & Media, is grammatically correct and with a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Infrequently used

It's interchangeable with "infrequently worn" when the context it's something you put on yourself. You can use it to describe clothing or accessories.

Rarely worn

This phrase directly replaces "infrequently" with "rarely", maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity.

Not often worn

This is a straightforward substitution, using simpler vocabulary to express the same idea.

Seldom used

This alternative emphasizes the lack of use rather than wear, making it suitable for items beyond clothing.

Hardly ever worn

This uses stronger language ("hardly ever") to emphasize the infrequency of wear.

Sparingly worn

This implies that the item is worn with conscious restraint, perhaps due to its value or special nature.

Used on rare occasions

This alternative uses a more descriptive structure, specifying that the item is only worn in particular, infrequent situations.

Occasionally used

This suggests the item is used at intervals, though not on a regular basis, offering a slightly different nuance.

Worn from time to time

This suggests the item is worn periodically, but not as a routine practice.

A few times worn

This is a less formal way to express that something is barely worn, is more casual.

FAQs

What does "infrequently worn" mean?

The phrase "infrequently worn" describes something, usually an item of clothing or an accessory, that is not worn or used very often. It suggests that the item is reserved for special occasions or is simply not a regular part of one's wardrobe.

What can I say instead of "infrequently worn"?

You can use alternatives like "rarely worn", "seldom used", or "not often worn" depending on the context.

Is "infrequently worn" grammatically correct?

Yes, "infrequently worn" is grammatically correct. The adverb "infrequently" modifies the past participle "worn", forming a valid descriptive phrase.

How can I use "infrequently worn" in a sentence?

You might say, "This dress is beautiful, but it's "infrequently worn" because I don't have many occasions to wear it", or "My grandfather sent the reverend his "infrequently worn" suits".