often

adverb

of·​ten ˈȯf-tən  ˈȯ-fən 

: many times : frequently

are often puzzled and sometimes annoyed by the ways of other peoples

—W. A. Parker

Synonyms

• again and again
• constantly
• continually
• frequently
• hourly
• much
• oft
• oftentimes
• ofttimes
• over and over
• repeatedly

Examples of often in a Sentence

They go out to dinner fairly often.

How often do you call your mother?

The condition often returns even after treatment with antibiotics.

I often take a walk during my lunch break.

He travels more often than I do.

The disease is diagnosed most often in children.

They seem to be getting into arguments more and more often.

It's not often that I get to enjoy a day off.

Water the plants often enough to keep the soil moist.

Recent Examples on the Web

While Taillon doesn’t want to go to the other extreme and rely on velocity, there is a balance that too often the 33-year-old couldn’t harness in 2024. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025

Fashion undeniably takes center stage at London Fashion Week’s Autumn/Winter 2025 collection in the British capital, yet the transformative power of hair often goes under appreciated. —Pooja Shah, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025

Miller said individuals like Cure who have been wrongfully convicted often live in fear. —CBS News, 25 Feb. 2025

Predicting the Academy’s top prize is often a numbers game (yes, journalists doing math). —Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, alteration of oft

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing often

• all too often
• as often as not
• every so often
• more often than not

Rhymes for often

• boffin
• coffin
• offen
• soften
• tryptophan

Kids Definition

often

adverb

of·​ten ˈȯ-fən  ˈȯf-tən 

: many times : frequently