1. characterized by sudden, irregular bursts or outbursts; occurring in short, intense episodes rather than continuously
Usage: informal; technical (computing, networking)

Examples

• The network traffic was bursty, with heavy usage followed by quiet periods.
• His bursty work style meant he'd be very productive for a few hours, then take a long break.
• The data showed bursty patterns of user activity throughout the day.
• Wind gusts created bursty conditions that made sailing difficult.
• The patient experienced bursty episodes of pain rather than constant discomfort.