off and on

adverb

: with periodic cessation : intermittently
rained off and on all day
off-and-on adjective
They have an off-and-on relationship.
off-and-on work

Examples of off and on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Grace Daniel has dealt with homelessness off and on for years. Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2025 Bell also flexed into the backfield as a fullback, something Van Pelt has experimented with off and on. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 3 Dec. 2024 The issue was resolved by toggling the eSIM off and on in Settings. PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024 Well, how about the advice to turn your smartphone off and on again weekly to prevent or mitigate spear-phishing campaigns to install spyware, malware and/or zero-click exploits for starters. Davey Winder, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for off and on 

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of off and on was in 1535

Dictionary Entries Near off and on

Cite this Entry

“Off and on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off%20and%20on. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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