oftentimes
Americanadverb
Usage
What does oftentimes mean? Oftentimes is another way of saying often or frequently. It’s used to give an idea of how frequently something happens or is done. Something that happens occasionally happens sometimes. Something that happens oftentimes happens a lot (though maybe not all the time). Oftentimes is an adverb, meaning it’s typically used to describe verbs. It’s oftentimes associated with habitual actions. A less common variant of oftentimes is ofttimes. Example: He would oftentimes take his dog for a walk in the woods to clear his head.
Etymology
Origin of oftentimes
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at often, time, -s 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Oftentimes, we sit on our balcony, awestruck at our luck.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
Oftentimes, instead of motivating them to fix their money problems, financial stresses are likely to prevent individuals from preparing better for their futures.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026
Oftentimes, when we cringe after an overshare, the other person is grateful to have been trusted.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026
Oftentimes, these atypical acquiring editors grew their online book communities for several years before landing at Bindery.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026
Oftentimes I would use the trip home to bring up things that were troubling me, since anything I asked at home was promptly answered by the aunts.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
