often

[aw-fuhn, of-uhn, awf-tuhn, of-]

adverb

1. many times; frequently.

   He visits his parents as often as he can.

   Synonyms: customarily, repeatedly
   Antonyms: seldom

2. in many cases.

   Synonyms: customarily, repeatedly
   Antonyms: seldom

adjective

1. Archaic.,  frequent.

often

/ ˈɒftən, ˈɒfən /

adverb

1. Archaic equivalents: oftentimes.  ofttimes. frequently or repeatedly; much of the time

2. quite frequently

3. at intervals

4. in more than half the instances

adjective

1. archaic,  repeated; frequent

Pronunciation Note

Often was pronounced with a t -sound until the 17th century, when a pronunciation without the came to predominate in the speech of the educated, in both North America and Great Britain, and the earlier pronunciation fell into disfavor. Common use of a spelling pronunciation has since restored the for many speakers, and today and [or and ] exist side by side. Although it is still sometimes criticized, often with a is now so widely heard from educated speakers that it has become fully standard once again.

Other Word Forms

• oftenness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of often¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English oftin, variant before vowels of ofte ; oft

Word History and Origins

Origin of often¹

C14: variant of _oft before vowels and h

Idioms and Phrases

see every now and then (so often); more often than not.

Synonym Study

Often, frequently, generally, usually refer to experiences that are customary. Often and frequently may be used interchangeably in most cases, but often implies numerous repetitions and, sometimes, regularity of recurrence: We often go there; frequently suggests especially repetition at comparatively short intervals: It happens frequently. Generally refers to place and means universally: It is generally understood. He is generally liked; but it is often used as a colloquial substitute for usually. In this sense, generally, like usually, refers to time, and means in numerous instances. Generally, however, extends in range from the merely numerous to a majority of possible instances; whereas usually means practically always: The train is generally on time. We usually have hot summers.

Example Sentences

But nothing in “The Smashing Machine” gels or compels in the ways that the sport depicted onscreen so often does.

From Salon

It's the Conservatives who, as is traditional, are most often called on to respond to government announcements.

From BBC

This is why people often crack that you should take the promised cost and timeline of a project, double both, and line up a good marriage counselor.

From Los Angeles Times

In an area of low pressure the weather is often unsettled.

From BBC

Full Moons throughout the year are given names, often dating back centuries, that reflect what is happening in nature.

From BBC

Related Words

• generally 
• much 
• regularly 
• repeatedly 
• usually